General News
Pantami Seeks Shift to Skill, not Certificate to Boost Digital Economy
Dr Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has advocated for shifting of focus from certificate to skills education for the actualisation of Nigeria’s digital economic drive.
Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami
Pantami made the call at the Graduation Lecture of the National Defence Collage Course 28, titled; “Digital Economy and National Development in Nigeria”, on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that digital literacy and skills was one of the pillars outlined for the development of the digital economy of Nigeria in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
The minister added that emphasis on certificate must be reduced in engaging labour force, urging that focus should be shifted to skills if the nation must catch up with development.
He said that many developed and developing countries such as China, United States and Morocco had shifted attention to skills rather than certificate, adding that many of them had established skills centres.
According to him, certificate is important but secondary to skill and that is why we must pay attention to skills in our journey to digital economy.
“The digital literacy and skills pillar recognises the fact that citizens are the greatest assets in any economy, including the digital economy. It will support the development of a large pool of digitally literate and digitally skilled citizens.
“We recently provided a platform, the DigitalNigeria.gov.ng platform, to enable Nigerians receive training in diverse digital skills. Over 36,000 Nigerians have enrolled on the platform since the 2nd of April, 2020.
“We are championing a paradigm change that lays emphasis on skills, in preference to merely having degrees without skills.
“The National Defence College is an institution that supports the development of skills and there are many digital techniques that can support the great work that you are doing here,’’ he said.
Pantami stated that the digital economy was a prime catalyst for development, adding that in less than one year, government’s modest efforts had already yielded remarkable results.
According to him, the recent first quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that ICT contributed an unprecedented 14.07 per cent to Nigeria’s total real GDP.
The minister further disclosed that the national security architecture must key into the digital revolution in tackling the prevailing security challenge using digital technology.
He explained that emerging technologies came with different solutions to security challenges of every nation such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotic technology, drone and many more.
“These are some of the emerging technologies that will go a long way in promoting security of nations. The security officials are in better position to look into and see how to customize them and make use of them.”
Also, , Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, minister of Defence, said the Federal Government had taken steps to adopt, adapt and internalise the digital economy in a functional manner.
Magashi, who was represented by Alhaji Sabiu Zakari, permanent secretary, said it was important that security and defence establishments show more than a cursory interest in the digital economy.
He added that the adaptation of digital economy could result in increased cybercrimes thus undermining national security.
“I wish to commend the Commandant, staff and the entire College community for their collective efforts in pursuing the ideals of the College.
“In particular, I commend you for organising the graduation lecture, which was exciting, educative and would be helpful to the economic and security needs of the Nigerian nation,’’ he said.
Earlier, Rear Adm. Markson Kadiri, commandant of the collage, , said the lecture had become a key component of the training programme of the College and a major highlight of its annual graduation ceremonies.
Kadiri said that a total of 107 participants had successfully completed the course comprising 67 officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, seven Senior Police Officers and 15 participants from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Others according to him, include 18 senior military officers from the Armed Forces of friendly nations.
“A large part of the Course was conducted online, after the general lockdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Course was conducted under the theme “Economic Diversification and National Development in Nigeria”. Economic diversification is a broad based strategy designed to cause positive and multi-sectoral economic growth and development,’’ he said.
NBA Africa, the local affiliate of the NBA basketball brand in the US, has announced the second edition of Triple-Double: NBA Africa Start-up Accelerator, which aims to promote the continent’s technology ecosystem and the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will strengthen Africa’s technology ecosystem by providing mentorship and investment to the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs.
The organisation announced the initiative would once again be administered by ALX Ventures, a technological incubator that equips the continent’s innovators in technology with the knowledge and tools they need to develop and scale their enterprises.
Furthermore, NBA Africa named ServiceNow, an AI platform for business transformation whose Now Assist and AI agents help organisations in delivering ‘faster and smarter experiences’ at scale, as an official program partner.
The organisation stated that startups can apply to participate at tripledoubleaccelerator.nba.com until Friday, August 29, following which the applications will be filtered down to a top 10 list.
The shortlisted startups will then participate in a 10-week mentorship program, where they will be paired with mentors from NBA Africa, ServiceNow, and ALX leadership, as well as other corporate stakeholders, who will advise the companies on product development, business growth, and go-to-market strategy.
The finalists will next present their technologies to international industry professionals at the program’s second Demo Day in December, when the top five prize-winning companies will be chosen to receive financial assistance and mentorship.
“Last year’s inaugural Triple-Double Accelerator program showed how much talent, passion and creativity there is among African entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the continent’s rapidly growing sport and entertainment industries,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi. “We look forward to reviewing this year’s submissions and to helping another round of promising startups take the next step in their development.”
Last year, almost 700 early-stage African entrepreneurs applied to the program.
Ten finalists were then chosen to pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at the program’s first Demo Day, which took place at the NBA headquarters in New York City.
Four prize-winning companies – Festival Coins (Nigeria), Salubata (Nigeria), HustleSasa (Kenya), and UBR VR (Egypt) – were awarded financial support and mentorship.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is transitioning to its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, meant to ease trade processes, after over a decade under the Fast Track Scheme.
The service is racing to meet international best practices under the World Customs Organisation’s (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, and contained in Sections 108 to 111 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The programme, the Service said, is expected to reward “trusted traders” who meet specified “compliance, financial, and security criteria.”
Approved operators will benefit from “pre-arrival clearance, minimal inspection, expedited release, and possible mutual recognition with other customs administrations.”
“The scheme is also designed to build trust, ensure cargo integrity, and enhance the predictability and transparency of Nigeria’s import-export operations,” the Service said.
The current Fast Track Scheme, implemented by the Service in 2013 under a more limited eligibility model and was upgraded to an online-based model called Fast Track 2.0, introduced in 2023. The scheme will be officially decommissioned on 31 December 2025.
“All beneficiaries currently enrolled in the Fast Track Scheme are mandated to initiate their migration to the AEO Compliance Programme by submitting their applications through the dedicated portal,” Customs said, adding that only companies approved under the AEO Programme will continue to enjoy trade facilitation privileges previously accorded under the Fast Track scheme.
“AEOs may include manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouses, distributors and freight forwarders,” The Service wrote in a handbook.
It requires that an applicant for AEO certification must be an Economic Operator in the international supply chain.
It also added that “The applying entity must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with a registration period of at least 5 years for AEO Security and Safety (AEO-S) and a minimum of 3 years for AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C).”
The company must hold a valid Tax Clearance Certificate, with a minimum coverage of 5 years for AEO Security and Safety (c) and at least three years for AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C).
The company must also provide an audited financial report for a minimum of five years for AEO Security and Safety (AEO-S) and at least three years for AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C).
Relevant operational licences must also be provided alongside other relevant regulatory certifications (ISO certifications, SON, NAFDAC, etc.).
AEO-S applicants must also require ISO 28001–an international standard that defines the requirements of the Supply Chain Security Management System and provides a management model for organisations seeking to implement it.
National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kwara has cautioned the public on fake N1000 notes circulating in the state.
Alhaji Abdulganiyu Dare, state director of NOA, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ilorin.
Dare emphasised the need for vigilance among residents and business owners in the state.
According to him, there is confirmed intelligence reports of syndicates flooding the area with counterfeit currency with batch numbers 364232 and 898248.
Dare said the counterfeit notes can be identified by their blurred portraits, watermarks, and irregular security features.
He urged the public to be cautious when handling large sums of money.
“The syndicates behind this crime exploit peak commercial hours in major local markets to carry out transactions with counterfeit notes.
“They target unsuspecting POS operators and merchants by defrauding them of their hard-earned money.
“NOA Kwara Directorate is committed to sensitising the public on the dangers of fake currency and the importance of verifying the authenticity of banknotes.
“The agency is working tirelessly to ensure that residents of Kwara are protected from financial scams,” he said.
While describing the crime as unpatriotic and capable of distorting the Nigerian economy, Dare said NOA would work closely with security agencies to bring the culprits to book.
The director advised residents to report any suspicious transactions or individuals to the authorities immediately.
“Together, we can build a safer and more secure financial environment for all residents of Kwara.
“By working together, the NOA and the public can prevent the circulation of fake currency and protect the financial interests of Kwara residents,” he said.
Report Reveals Over Half of Security Experts Overwhelmed Managing Cybersecurity Tools from Multiple Vendors
PalmPay Partners FG to Drive Data Protection Awareness
NBA Africa Urges Entrepreneurs to Apply for Funding
IFC Strengthens Support for Africa’s Creative Economy with Investment in Filmmakers Market
MTN & Ultima Studios Kick Off Hunt for Nigeria’s Next Afrobeats Icon
General News3 days agoNOA Warns of Fake N1000 Notes in Circulation, How to Identify Them
Telecom3 days agoMTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ Concerns
E-Financial3 days agoWest Africa Emerging as Crypto Adoption Epicentre- SEC Boss
Telecom2 days agoNCC to Sanction Operators over Regulatory Violations
General News3 days agoNCC, IHS Towers Lead Others To NITRA-ALTON CNII & Telecom Sustainability Conference 2025
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m
General News2 days agoCustoms Ditches Fast Track Scheme for Authorised Economic Operator
Broadcasting3 days agoGovernment of Ghana Slams MultiChoice, Insists on DStv Price Cut