The newly inaugurated Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani has called on the Heads of Agencies and Stakeholders under the Ministry to hit the ground running, while pledged to come up with policies that would transform the industry.
Tijani who made the appeal while assumed office at the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, immediately after the inauguration of the Federal Cabinet by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today 21st August, 2023 at the State House Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The Minister, Tijani is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading Pan-African innovation and technology center, he owns a Ph.D. degree in innovation and economic development from the School of Business, University of Leicester.
Speaker further, Tijani said Nigeria had the opportunity to compete with other countries digitally, not just other sectors, promised to build on the gains recorded in the ministry through effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the industry.
He also said that the ministry was open to collaboration with other countries, adding that there is no country that can become strong technically in isolation.
According to him, “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 best organisations and institutions in the world.”
The Minister emphasized on the challenge of how to connect people to opportunities so that they can progress. “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. This is to ensure that we are connected to modern knowledge, but most importantly, ensure that there is dignity in everything,” he said.
Tijani who thought it is always good to take stock as well, said someone cannot improve on what someone do not know. “It is impossible for us to move forward. If you do not assess what we have accomplished.
“The best way to make it effective is to use technology that connects our citizens to the services they want to use in a dignified way. 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.”
Some of the Heads of Agencies that were present to welcome the Minister includes the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and Directors of the ministry.