FG Moves To Digitilize Economy

The Federal Government of Nigeria has indicated the readiness to digitalize her economy.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ali Pantami, disclosed this at the launching of an Information Technology and Innovation Centre by the National Informational Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the University of Portharcourt (UNIPORT).

He said the facility, known as Information Technology Innovation and Incubation Park building, would be used to develop ideas to end the nation’s dependence on crude oil.

Pantami said “This policy was derived after we came up with idea of establishing IT skills centres all over the country.

“The Federal Government is establishing these centres across the country as part of its drive diversify the economy away from oil and gas.

“Presently, the world is moving from natural-resources based economy to knowledge –based economy and so, federal government is following suit in order not to put all eggs in one basket.

Pantami, who noted that digital economy occupied a central position in a knowledge-based economy, said Nigeria was on track to having a digitised economy.

He said that many countries, including the United States, China and European, no longer employ people based only on degrees but skills acquired.

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“Recently, China shut down 600 universities and converted them to skill acquisition centres.

“Nigeria needs to bridge the gap between the academy and industry.

“We need to change the current system where theories are only thought in the universities and skills acquired in the industries.”

The minister urged states and local governments to key into the federal government’s digital economy policy to promote entrepreneurship in the country.