26th May, 2024
By Funmilola Gboteku
An Information Technology expert, Mr Jide Awe, has described President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and telecommunications sectors as a mixed bag of progress and challenges.
Awe, who is the Founder of Jidaw.com Ltd., said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday while assessing the president’s impact in the sector after one year in office.
According to him, the Tinubu-led administration’s focus indicates a strategic approach to transforming Nigeria’s ICT and telecoms sectors.
On successes, he said the launch of the 3MTT Programme, aimed at training three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills was a high-visibility initiative.
He said the programme related to fostering digital skills and job creation and would contribute to the much-needed economic diversification.
According to Awe, It has created a level of awareness about IT job opportunities, and the economic outlook is also promising in that respect.
He noted that the initiative should be sustained, and similar programmes encouraged.
The IT expert stressed the need to also support digital literacy initiatives and skills development programmes at all education levels to equip Nigerians with future-of-work skills, with special attention to marginalised groups.
“Also, the ongoing investments aimed at enhancing network coverage and service quality as well as encouraging digital infrastructure investments such as the landing of Meta’s deep-sea cable in Nigeria, which is expected to significantly boost internet capacity and connectivity is a good move.
“However, while the focus on improving network coverage and service quality is commendable, addressing the associated challenges remains essential.
“The administration also enacted the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), which is a crucial step towards building a trustworthy and sustainable digital economy that fosters technological advancements and innovation,” he said.
He noted that the enactment of the NDPA showed commitment to creating a safe and trustworthy environment for technological advancements.
Awe added that there was, however, a need for effective capacity building, implementation, balancing innovation, data protection and privacy in enforcement.
He said that the recent decision of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to develop a certification to certify data protection professionals in Nigeria was a step in the right direction, given the increase in cyberattacks.
“Another win is the support for startups, innovation and developments through the implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act, aimed at fostering a robust startup ecosystem, crucial for driving technological innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said.
The IT expert noted further that in the last one year, the administration had been organising policy initiatives on Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as the AI Strategy Workshop and the National AI Research Grant Scheme.
According to him, this demonstrates a recognition of the potential of leveraging emerging technologies to address our developmental challenges.
Awe, however, said despite the strong commitment to addressing critical issues in Nigeria’s ICT and telecommunications sectors, there were challenges hindering the full realisation of the administration’s efforts.
Awe said that the digital divide still existed and might be widening due to harsh economic conditions, noting that high internet costs were not helping.
“Digital haves and have-nots remain an unpleasant reality. Digital accessibility and benefits remain limited to some due to economic status, gender or location.
“Low internet connectivity in the rural and traditionally disadvantaged areas, especially the unserved and underserved areas, hinders the growth of the digital economy and limits its network impacts and benefits.
“While the policies are impressive, their benefits hinge on actual implementation with tangible results for Nigeria.
“Technology and policies are not simply for show or an end in themselves, therefore, it’s crucial to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and the “digital transformation with the analogue culture” within the government that hinders efficient and effective policy implementation,” he said.