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Stakeholders meet on developing digital identity ecosystem

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By Wale Oguntokun

 

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on ICT, Mr. Lanre Osibona, has debunked online news reports that the Nigerian government will be spending additional $3.1bn on Digital National Identity. He stated this at the stakeholder’s meeting on the adoption of the ‘Strategic Roadmap Document for Developing Digital Identity Ecosystem’ in Nigeria.

According to him, the said report was not only inaccurate, but entirely misleading, adding that the issues and challenges around the successful implementation of the National Identity are many, and they must be addressed collectively.

Relying on World Bank’s research in 2015, the SSA pointed out that the Country has spent $1.2 billion since the late 1970’s; however, much work remains undone.

“We are projected to spend an additional $3.1 billion if we are to follow the existing approach of developing identification in Nigeria. In other words, with the present administration’s prudent management of funds and applying cost-effective approaches across the ID ecosystem, the country could spend less on the project.

Acknowledging that, funding had not been a key issue, he added that “one of the biggest challenges in achieving a holistic and robust national identity has been the lack of a workable ecosystem and practical approaches.”

He pointed out some of the changes that have been made and are ongoing.

Some of those immediate changes include, but not limited to, employing a smart approach, such as “reducing the number of identity attributes we will be collecting from, what I believe, was 75 attributes, to just ONLY 10 for the NIMC Foundational System. The idea is that, we have a baseline of basic data of all Nigerians which can be built on by Functional ID stakeholders.”

“We have also analyzed cost-effective methods to transit from the issuance of physical cards as ID into a digital National Identity Number (NIN) if we are to truly register all our citizens”.

“On planning and implementation. The implementation of the National Identity will be undertaken as a project-based deliverable. Starting with the development of the Harmonized Digital National Identity Strategic Roadmap, for which we are undergoing a final review with all of you stakeholders. In addition, we have clearly defined key milestone deliverables, done our forecasted expenditures (OPEX & CAPEX) and the associated funding, and mapped out a timeframe to ensure there are measurable successes.”

“However, these changes are only as good as our collective efforts. Everyone has a part to play in developing a robust and innovative identity ecosystem.”

“The benefits of a single National Identity System with biometrics, offering a unique digital identity number to every person – are numerous. Enabling innovation, fostering social inclusion and a socially responsible society, enhance the development of a more efficient national planning, robust and effective security management”.

However, it is important to point out that SSA, Mr Lanre Osibona (who was at the meeting, in his capacity as the VP’s representative) was suggestive in his remarks and made no affirmations during the stakeholder meeting.

“Each stakeholder (for both Foundational and Functional uses) stands to gain tremendously from this system” e stated.

He further pointed out that the FRSC can leverage on the harmonized digital identity ecosystem to enforce traffic offences and telephone operators will have a robust database to verify existing and new customers and can focus their attention on innovative offerings.

Also, bank operators can accelerate the KYC process and extend innovative financial solutions to a wider segment of society and overall security benefits of curbing fraudulent activities in a current environment of anonymity.

The Senior Aide from the Office of the Vice President called for a spirit of collaboration, saying that no man is sole repository of knowledge; “while there must be single-mindedness in our drive to strive forward, contributions are necessary if we are to successfully implement this program”.

 

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Prof. Aliyu, AI Practitioner to Keynote ABoICT 2024

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CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, a certified global ICT company with over two million online subscribers, is delighted and proud to announce Prof. Yakub Aliyu, as the keynote speaker at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture series 2024.

 

Aliyu, will be speaking on the theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Good, The Complex and The Anticipated”, this leans heavily on the fact that AI changing our lives– we just need to know where to look today.

This year’s rebranded Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series is slated for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.

The event is the most prestigious annual event that brings together captains of industry in both technology and financial worlds.

According to Ken Nwogbo, CEO, Communication Week Media Ltd, organisers of the ABoICT Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series, “the choice of Prof. Yakub Aliyu is deliberate because of his exceptional career in Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

He added that, AI is considered to have the potential to instigate a fourth industrial revolution,1 and is dramatically changing people’s patterns of interaction and economic activities.

“The traditional factors of production and physical capital and labour may no longer promote substantial economic growth. It is generally believed that AI will be one of the most important factors determining future economic growth,” he said.

A professor of microelectronics and a scholar-practitioner in artificial intelligence and deep machine learning for industrial applications and high-speed application processors. His research interests include Multimodal AI models for high-efficiency industrial robot applications and Human AI interactions.

He also has adjunct academic professorships at five African, USA, and UK universities. Holds a BS in Applied Physics Electronics from Karlsruhe and A Bello Universities in Germany and Nigeria, an MBA in International Business Management from the University of London, an MSEE (Master of Engineering, Electronics), and a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Wales.

Prof. Aliyu is the global quality director for Bourns Inc., Riverside, California, USA, an electronics system, and components manufacturer. I oversee quality functions in 21 factories worldwide.

He has also held quality and operational management leadership positions at National Semiconductors, Bell Labs-Lucent Technology, Texas Instrument, Global Foundries, and Roper Technologies USA.

Authored and coauthored over 30 Advanced Technology United States-issued patents in High-Speed Application Processors and Contributed to over 40 international impact Journals, chapters, and conferences; FASI, SMIEEE USA, MIEE UK, M. Inst pf Physics Chartered Phys and C Eng UK.

Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in Counterparty Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.

Others are: Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dr. Seyi Akindeind, co-founder, Digital Encode; Dr Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Director, Africa Data Centres.


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Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria

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Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.

Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria

Participants at the event

Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,

This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.

While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.

Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.

It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.

Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.

Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply

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While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.

As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply

Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.

It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.

“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.

The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.

Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.


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