Tag: Digital Transformation

How we are bolstering Nigeria’s digital transformation with experiences at ITU – Danbatta

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) vast experience as a long-standing member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has served as a booster to the Commission in its effective implementation of government policies, and in stimulating regulatory initiatives focused on advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation. The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said.

Danbatta stated this while addressing global actors in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry at the ongoing Session of the ITU Council taking place in-person at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 21-31, 2022.

Speaking at the Council session, Danbatta said the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the important role ICT will continue to play in ensuring peace, security and prosperity around the world. “It is as a result of the enabling experiences in the ITU ecosystem that Nigeria continue to be active and forward-looking regarding the activities of the ITU as the leading organ of the United Nations (UN) in the area of ICT,” he said.

He emphasised that, as a long-standing member of Council, Nigeria has utilised ICT as a driver of socio-economic development not just for herself, but also for the benefit of the sub-region and the continent, given its role as a founding member and flagship promoter of the West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).

“Over the years, as a member of ITU, Nigeria has chaired World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC)-15; chaired ITU Council Standing Committee on Administration and Management (SC-ADM), in 2019 and 2022; as well as chaired the Ad-Hoc Committee on ITU Regional Presence”, the EVC said to underscore the strategic, symbiotic relationship between Nigeria and ITU.

Reinforcing the intensity of his assertion on the contribution of Nigeria in ITU, Danbatta said, “Nigeria had also chaired ITU-Standardization (ITU-T) Study Group 20 Regional Group for Africa; served as Vice Chairman, ITU-T Study group 20; served as Vice-Chair, ITU-T Study Group 12; Vice-Chair, ITU-Development D Study Group 2; as well as provided Financial Support to ITU Headquarters Building, among others”.

The EVC said this robust experience in ITU has continued to enable Nigeria, through NCC, and was particularly instrumental to the recent management of a globally-acclaimed transparent auction of Fifth Generation 5G licence in 2021; achieve 40.88 per cent broadband penetration in Nigeria as at December 2021; implement robust financial inclusion initiatives; as well as in the promotion of universal access across institutions and communities in Nigeria through the NCC’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). “All these were made possible through the successful launch and implementation of policies to foster use of ICTs across all sectors and enhance a digital economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the EVC has used the opportunity of his brief remarks during the Council session to announce Nigeria’s intent to seek re-election to ITU Council during the forthcoming Plenipotentiary Conferences. According to Danbatta, having Nigeria re-elected will help the country to continue to collaborate with and support ITU’s development agenda, ensure effective and efficient implementation of ITU Resolutions, implement inclusive programmes to foster universal use of ICT across all divides, and provide focused and strategic partnership. “We look forward to a robust Council session and subsequent support for Nigeria during the forthcoming elections,” Danbatta stated.

The ITU is governed by the Plenipotentiary Conference and the Administrative Council. The Plenipotentiary Conference is the supreme organ of the Union. It is the decision making body which determines the direction of the Union and its activities.

The Council, on the other hand, acts as the Union’s governing body in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences. Its role is to consider broad telecommunication policy issues to ensure that the Union’s activities, policies and strategies fully respond to today’s dynamic, rapidly-changing telecommunications environment.

The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference for this year is scheduled to take place in Bucharest, Romania, from Monday, September 26 to October 14, 2022.

March 25, 2022
How COVID-19 accelerated innovation, digital transformation in Nigeria – NITDA

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has revealed that COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation journey faster, more dramatic and disruptive, giving opportunities for more convenient online presence with less disturbance, Digital innovation and Internet Economy for drive to Digital Economy”.

Abdullahi said this while making his presentation at the 8th Annual Instalment of the International Data Corporation (IDC) West Africa CIO Summit 2021 with the Theme: “Innovation Strategies Evolving on the demand of New Realities is Exciting”.

He stated that Economy Africa reports 2020 revealed that by 2025, the value of Internet Economy in Africa will reach $180b, accounting for about 5.2% of the Continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and by 2050 its projection is estimated to be $712b, about 8.5% of the Continent’s GDP.

“Innovation drives growth in the internet economy, process of taking ideas from inception to impact inspired three digital capabilities; firstly, Ubiquitous Data which is used to make decision and have Information at your disposal anytime. Secondly, Unlimited Connectivity particularly Internet of Things (IoT) which ease connectivity and learning things easily. Lastly, Massive Computing Processing Power which has no limit to what can be processed. These Capabilities are the source of inspiration that ignites innovation and create demand in the digital era.

“The Global advancement and digital technologies are making the world a better place. We are inspired to deliver rapid business innovations and new customer value prepositions. African Start-ups coming up with unique business models, Digital Transformation platforms and services that creates incredible value with a significant impact on human lives and the economy which indicates that Africa will not miss the Fourth Industrial Revolution unlike the first, Second and Third industrial era where we lost out in creating and capturing values across the globe,” he noted.

He added that in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, has laid foundation for a Digital Nigeria by expanding the Mandate of Ministry Communications to cover Digital Economy, which the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has a larger focus vision of digitalizing the country.

“In 2019, the Ministry formulated a National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a digital Nigeria, serves as laid down foundation to create and capture value from innovation in the digital Economy.”

“The Implementation of the strategies within 2years, has significantly impacted the economy with the digital sector being the fastest growing sector which bailout the country out of COVID-19 induces session. Nigerian National Digital Economy Policy and Strategies primary implementer crafted the Strategic Roadmap and Action plan SERAP 2021-2024 with the objectives: Articulating new strategies for the Nigerian Ecosystem in accordance with the current aspirations of the Government the new realities of today and the future demands, this was built on seven (7) strategic pillars namely: Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy and Digital skills, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies, he identified,” he explained.

He averred that part of the NDEPS is to develop and innovate solutions using emerging technologies like: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain and IoT among others to provide quality life, education, poverty eradication, health and wellbeing. According to him, CB Insights 2021 reported that there are total of six unicorn companies in Africa which 3 are from Nigeria namely: Flutterwave, Interswitch and Jumia respectively.

Abdullahi encouraged Chief Information Officers from organizations and Corporate Nations to focus more on initiating digital innovation strategies considering global digital trends and new realities.

“Every organization or country is unique and has its peculiarities but the digital strategies will provide a map for your journey. Our dream in Africa is to be digitally self reliant and become a digital hub for digital services exportation, a critical driver for digital transformation and a frontier for vibrant and highly competitive digital Economy. Our youthful population, location and time zone are our competitive age, and we the CIO’s are the drivers of our dreams in our respective organizations and countries, being proactive and responding to opportunities offered by technological innovations,” he concluded.

June 21, 2021
Digital transformation: NITDA sets pace for enterprise architecture

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it has set the pace for the implementation of the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) towards a digital transformation of the economy.

NITDA Director General, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, said this at the 12th annual conference of Abuja chapter of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), in Abuja.

While delivering the keynote address at the conference, focused on the theme “Accelerating Digital Transformation: The Nigerian Trends,” Inuwa said that NITDA set up the NGEA framework to drive short, medium, and long term digital transformation of the economy.

He added that the framework provided a guide, enabling other government parastatals to easily execute digital initiatives and it has also reduced the complexity associated with digital transformation and accelerated adoption across the board.

“The framework we designed at NITDA is in line with the digital transformation foundation laid by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“In October 2019, the president renamed and expanded the mandate of our ministry to cover Digital Economy and also unveiled National Digital Economy Policy for digital Nigeria.

“On the same day, the president also directed all Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) to set up a Digital Transformation Technical Working Group which was achieved Aug. 27, where the first set of 100 Federal Public Institutions’ digital transformation working group was inaugurated.

“This is to consolidate on the achievements recorded under some of our initiatives such as the Nigeria e-Government Master Plan (NeGMP) Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (Ne-GIF) and Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA).

“The framework firstly is to promote one government digital service and to guarantee the autonomy of Federal Public Institutions to make individual decisions around business processes, digital services, and applications,” he said.

Inuwa further said the framework with seven layers, which included business, service, data, application, IT Infrastructure, security and performance, centered around people and processes.

According to him, each layer has high-level expectations for FPIs, as well as specifies best practices, standards, tools, reference models and recommendations that will help FPIs achieve their value propositions and meet citizens’ expectations for government digital services.

He also said that the COVID-19 reality had necessitated a digital transformation strategy that focused more on how to deliver digital service to Nigerians.

“Haven understood how important digital capabilities are in driving digital transformation, we have embarked on upskilling and reskilling Nigerians with appropriate knowledge and skills which are the necessary building blocks for digital transformation.

“We have trained over 26,000 Nigerians this year alone on different digital skills to help them understand and embrace digital transformation.

“In addition to the capacity building, we have provided thousands of digital tools to Nigerians, ranging from artisan toolbox set, smart mobile devices, laptops,to building community training centers, IT hubs, innovation,incubation hubs and center of excellence for emerging technologies,” he added.

September 10, 2020
FG inaugurates 129 MDAs to champion digital transformation

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated 129 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), to be part of the first phase of Federal Public Institutions (FPIs), Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups (DT-TWGs).

The inauguration was organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and undertaken by Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in Abuja.

The group’s inauguration was to ensure that MDAs were part of the Federal Government’s agenda toward developing a digital economy.

The inauguration held concurrently with the launching of the Government-to-Government Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) portal, www.ngea.gov.ng which would enable the group to work in synergy.

Pantami said that digital economy was transforming the way the public sector operated and delivered services to customers, hence the need for MDAs to key in.

“The digital economy requires among other things adaptive policies, strategies, regulations, standardised infrastructure, globally-competitive workforce, carefully orchestrated and coordinated digital governance structure.

“Without appropriate digital governance, it becomes difficult for digital investments and implementation to meet strategic objectives and expectations,” Pantami said.

According to the minister, digital governance is key to managing digital transformation successfully and the failure of IT projects is also being experienced by a number of FPIs.

He blamed lack of an appropriate digital governance structure either at the individual organisation level or on the government’s end for failures of IT projects.

Pantami also said that the group’s inauguration was heeding to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives at the opening ceremony of e-Nigeria conference of 2019.

“The president ordered that DT-TWGs be established in Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) as e-Government champions and be part of the digital governance structure for the implementation of Nigeria e-Government Master Plan (NeGMP) and National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

“The NDEPS was unveiled and launched by the President on the same day with developmental regulation, digital literacy and skills, solid Infrastructure and service infrastructure as the pillars.

“The other pillars are soft Infrastructure, Digital Services Development and Promotion, Digital Society and Emerging Technologies and Indigenous Content Promotion and Adoption.

“The DT-TWG will be an instrument to the implementation of four pillars in NDEPS,” the minister said.

Pantami said that the capacities of the DT-TWGs members needed to be developed in transformation management, innovation and technical capabilities to enable them to perform the task ahead.

He urged NITDA to engage the members and their institutions for capacity building and also directed the members to engage their respective staff members for implementation.

Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said that digital transformation initiatives might fail if there was lack of strategic architecture.

Inuwa said the DT-TWGs was being put in place to ensure FPIs were properly guided against pitfalls while implementing digital initiatives, government businesses and digital technologies were properly aligned for the acceleration of digital transformation.

He added that the Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (Ne-GIF) and NGEA formed the foundation for taking government-wide IT deployment from silo-based to an integrated whole-of-government approach.

“The current silo situation is as a result of the fact that each public institution is good at deploying IT systems for each of its strategic initiative and specific service.

“Institutions do not consider national IT architecture and interoperability framework that follows and ensures a pre-determined process, operating model for IT systems deployment across public Institutions.

“The seven layers of NGEA which are Business, Service, Data, Application, IT Infrastructure, Security and Performance are centred around people and processes.

“Each layer has high-level expectations for FPIs and as well specifies best practices, standards, tools, reference models and recommendations that will help achieve the value propositions and citizens’ expectations for government digital services,” Inuwa said.

He stated that NITDA had established NGEA/Ne-GIF National Implementation Committee comprising of about 40 critical FPIs representatives and IT industry players to govern and advise on government-wide digitisation of processes,functions.

According to him, there is provision of personalised advice to FPIs on their current state of IT deployment and recommendations on business process and IT deployment optimisation, among other intervention initiatives.

He reiterated that achieving whole-of-Government, calls for a shift in the culture of the public service, the mindset of the public officers and the way e-Government and IT systems were being deployed.

“The deployment should automatically enable seamless interoperability and exchange of data across Public Institutions.”

The director-general said the group was saddled with the responsibilities of advocating for digital economy, transformation related activities, guiding automation and digitisation of government business processes, among other functions.

Inuwa said the DT-TWG comprised of five members cutting across strategic departments with two persons from the IT/ICT/e-Government department and three (3) other persons from core business departments.

He added that over 400 MDAs were accessed before the selection was made.

August 28, 2020