The proposal by the Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to enlist and train three million Nigerians over a period of four years is expected to increase the level of digital and technical skills among Nigerians, especially young and middle-level talents, to 70 per cent by the end of 2027.
This was stated by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, while speaking recently in Lagos at the City Business News Summit, on the theme of the summit, ‘Repositioning Nigerian Economy through Telecommunications: 2023 and Beyond’.
He said: “The vision is, thus, to accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and a net exporter of talent; to deepen and accelerate our position in global research in key technology areas and raise the complexity and dynamics of our economy by significantly increasing the level of digital literacy across Nigeria. In this regard, the Honoruable Minister is looking to create a pipeline of three million technical talents.
“This programme, which has commenced already with over 1 million applications by potential trainees, is expected to increase the level of digital and technical skills among Nigerians, especially young and middle-level talents, to 70 per cent by the end of 2027. This will position Nigerians to productively contribute to the economy and place us in the top 25 percentile of research globally in the key areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), IoT, Robotics, Blockchain, and Additive Manufacturing in keeping with the strategic plan unveiled by the Honourable Minister,” he said.
Maida reiterates the Commission’s commitment to fostering the development of the vital infrastructure needed to support a robust digital economy, ensure better access to high-quality internet connectivity, and facilitate the effective use of the country’s spectrum resources.
Additionally, he urged the nation’s media industry to utilize the parts of these interventions that pertain to them.
“As we work with our supervising Ministry – Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – to take these steps to provide the enabling environment for repositioning the Nigerian Economy through telecommunications in 2023 and beyond, we call on Nigerians—and especially our compatriots in the media—to tap into the aspects of these interventions that are relevant to them. The ambitious plans we have set out may seem lofty and even incredible, but through strategic partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders, we believe that they are achievable,” the EVC said.
The NCC boss was represented at the event by the Commission’s Director of Research and Development, Ismail Adedigba.
