The new Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has pledged that the country’s digital economy under his watch will compete with other countries, digitally.
Dr. Tijani pledged during a formal reception organised in his honour, by the Ministry in Abuja.
The new minister however charged all heads of parastatals and departments in the ministry, to hit the ground running, promising that the will be initiation of policies and regulations that can protect Nigerians from devices that contradict these technologies and transform the industry.
The tech guru further promised that he would build on the gains recorded so far in the Ministry, through effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the industry.
“I think it is always good to also take stock as well. You cannot improve what you do not We can’t move move forward if we do not assess what we have accomplished.
“Our goal is not to come up with policies from the public sector, whether it is from this ministry or not, that will put people in pain before they can access government services,” he said.
Acknowledging that no one can do it alone, the minister said that the ministry was cooperating with other countries, adding country can become strong technically without collaboration.
“The minister can formulate policies and regulations but if we are not working closely with industry, the things we want to see will never be built to the point where prosperity can come to our nation.
“If we do not collaborate with countries all over the world, we are going to be limited by what is available at the minute in terms of knowledge.
“We are going to be partnering with the best organisations and institutions in the world. So, part of our challenge is how do we connect people to opportunities so that they can build.
“This ministry is critical to unlocking opportunities for our people regardless of where they are.
“We are the face of the ministry which means, we have to update and upgrade our skills, ensure that we are connected to modern knowledge, but most importantly, ensure that there is dignity in everything,” the minister stated.
The new minister has under his watch, seven agencies under the Ministry, which include: Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, NIGCOMSAT, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Galaxy Backbone, GBB, and Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC.
However, he is one of the ministers, who much is expected from, because of the importance of his ministry to the technological advancement of Nigeria, and the creation of jobs for millions of unemployed youths across the 36 States, in the country.