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.
The UK’s Manufacturing Africa programme has formed a strategic partnership with investment firm TLG Capital to enhance funding opportunities for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
L-R: Director, Head of International Affairs, BPI France, Isabelle Bebear; Swedfund Regional Director for West Africa, Kitanha Toure; British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter; Co-founder & CEO of TLG Capital, Zain Latif and IFC World Bank Group, Regional Industry Manager, Alexandra Celestin at the signing ceremony today in Lagos.
This collaboration aims to strengthen Nigerian businesses’ eligibility for financing through Africa Growth Impact Fund II (AGIF II), which has raised $75 million towards its $200 million target.
Supported by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), Swedfund, Norfund, and Bpifrance, the fund seeks to channel capital into promising manufacturing businesses across Nigeria.
Manufacturing Africa will assist companies with due diligence, corporate finance, ESG compliance, gender inclusion, and operational improvements, ensuring they meet investment criteria.
One of the first beneficiaries of this initiative is Terra Aqua, an aluminium recycling company in Ogun State. Terra Aqua is set to receive $7.5 million in debt financing from TLG Capital, contingent on meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarks.
If successful, this deal could create 200 direct jobs and 752 indirect jobs, while utilizing a recycling process that consumes 95% less energy than producing primary aluminium.
Since its launch in 2020, Manufacturing Africa has supported 41 investment deals in Nigeria, aiming to secure over $1 billion in foreign direct investment and create 38,000 direct jobs. Across Africa, the programme has facilitated nearly $2.4 billion in investment, leading to 102,000 new jobs.
UK Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasized the importance of a robust manufacturing sector in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
Manufacturing Africa’s Team Leader, Thomas Pascoe, highlighted the development potential in African manufacturing, while TLG Capital Co-Founder, Isha Doshi, underscored AGIF II’s goal of providing flexible, strategic financing tailored to the African business landscape.
This initiative is set to accelerate industrial growth, create jobs, and position Nigerian manufacturers as viable investment opportunities.
Kuda has launched Kuda Business Perks, a new initiative aimed at providing Nigerian SMEs with discounted services to ease operational costs amid economic challenges. With rising inflation, FX instability, and sluggish consumer demand, small businesses are struggling to maintain profitability.
SMEs make up 96% of businesses in Nigeria and contribute nearly half of the country’s GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and SMEDAN.
However, a 2024 PwC Nigeria MSME Survey found that over 70% of Nigerian SMEs cite high operational costs as their biggest barrier to growth.
To address this, Kuda Business Perks offers discounted services across key business areas, including payments, inventory tracking, staff healthcare, and marketing.
Through partnerships with fintech providers like SeerBit and Paystack, as well as platforms such as Vendy, OneHealth, Lumi, and Braudit, SMEs registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and holding Kuda business accounts can access affordable tools to streamline operations.
According to Nosa Oyegun, VP of Product Innovation and Strategy at Kuda, the initiative is about providing practical solutions rather than generic rewards. He emphasized that small businesses need tools that work and pricing that makes sense, and Kuda is partnering with platforms that matter to lower cost barriers.
The rollout is happening in phases, with each perk addressing a core business need. For example, businesses using SeerBit through Kuda will enjoy lower transaction fees on local payments, while Paystack integration will help SMEs accept payments globally more efficiently.
Kuda Business Perks showcases how digital banking infrastructure can evolve beyond access to affordability, tackling one of the most pressing challenges for Nigerian SMEs today.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that, from January 1, 2026, all local airports and airstrips operating without valid permits will face sanctions.
Speaking at the maiden Airstrip Owners/Operators Stakeholders’ Engagement in Lagos on Monday, Godwin Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, said only a few of Nigeria’s 92 airstrips currently hold valid operational permits. These include operational, non-operational, and airstrips under rehabilitation or construction.
Balang stated that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been informed that, from 1 January 2026, local airports under its management without proper permits will be sanctioned. “FAAN has been apprised that effective from 1st January 2026, local airports without appropriate permits under its management would be sanctioned accordingly. This is not a threat but a collective resolve,” he said.
The NCAA noted that 68 of the 92 airstrips are federal government properties managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while 24 are owned by individuals and private organisations. The authority to enforce these measures comes from Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2022, which empowers the NCAA to certify aerodrome operations and set safety standards.
Balang addressed stakeholders’ pleas to review the N30 million permit fee and other charges to encourage investment. “I completely agree with you because by doing that it would look like the government will be making less money, but we are actually going to be making more money.
“We have a population of over 200 million people with conservatively less than three million people who are actively flying. So, it is also a big opportunity that if we are able to charge less, more people will be able to fly,” he said.
NCAA Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo, outlined the engagement’s goals: to improve communication with state and private airstrip operators, clarify regulatory requirements, address challenges, and promote global best practices.
“It is my fervent hope that these objectives will be fully realised and airstrip operations in Nigeria will, henceforth, be conducted in strict compliance with all regulatory provisions and global best practices,” he said.
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