Telecom
Shittu Seeks Industry Support, Says Ministry Ready to Implement Plans
Barrister Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communication, has called for information and communication technology industry stakeholders’ support as the Ministry moves to the implementation phase of its plans.
Shittu made the remark at the 2016 eNigeria organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NiTDA) in Abuja recently.
The Minister lauded the expo and conference theme: ‘Leveraging ICT Innovation for Economic Diversification’, adding that the Ministry has been on the vanguard for ubiquitous deployment of broadband across the country as one of means to encourage Nigerian youths take advantage of the opportunities of the Internet, especially in e-commerce business.
He said, “The Ministry will leverage more on the communication technology sector to solve the problem of unemployment in the country because the revenue from the oil and gas sector has been on a steady decline since early 2015.
“As we prepare to move to the implementation phase of the plan, we welcome the support of all development partners and our various stakeholders to join us as we embark on this journey which we believe will be major contributor to the growth of our economy, the increment of our GDP and the creation of more employment opportunities for our youth.”
He said that eNigeria has become an institutional means of setting goals, targets and timelines for the demonstration of best practices and repositioning of Nigeria as key player in the global knowledge-driven economy. It has also provided a veritable avenue for the stakeholders in the nation’s ICT industry to discuss and extensively explore practical strategies for maximising the benefits of ICTs for urgent task of nation-building, national development and economic prosperity.
According to the Minister, the present economic challenges and the dwindling revenue from oil sector to spur national alternative to diversifying the economy for sustainable development.
“There is no such better alternative than ICT, which has recorded tremendous growth and contribute about 12.62% to total nominal GDP and 12.68% to total real GDP in second quarter of 2016 according to National Bureau of Statistics.
“The ICT revolution offers a historic opportunity to enable national adjustment to a fast changing and knowledge-driven global economy. It opens the opportunity for Nigeria to transform to an open, smart, and inclusive economy. It offers new tools and platform to address the region’s challenges particularly in areas such as governance, employment, demands for public services, export diversification, structural transformation ,and global competitiveness amongst others.
Shittu reiterated, however, that the challenge presently focuses not only on closing the gap in access to technology but also on enhancing ICT innovation and promoting digital industries.
“Indeed, the access to technology is an important factor for us in Africa and for that we should focus our efforts on collaborating with the ICT private sector in the digital economy and the key role SMEs play in our digital ecosystem as well as regional strategic partnerships in order to be able to do business and make it possible for all to communicate; but we need to address the ultimate application of this potential technology to tackle the underlying challenge of human capacity development.
“Developing the capacity of human resource gives us an opportunity to turn on the furthest reaching and fastest growing technology to bridge the gap. There is need therefore to tap the potential of this technology so as to ensure that everyone can enjoy the opportunity for economic mobility, personal advancement and higher quality of life.”
The Minister observed that the shift in world economy towards knowledge based products and services have become indispensable in recent past as globalisation and developments in ICT had changed the business scenario and the entire landscape.
To this end, Shittu told delegates at eNigeria that the Ministry will collaborate with NITDA to ensure all tiers of government consider the adoption of Open Data Policy (ODP) as a means of creating jobs, making data available for policy formulation and decision making as well as reducing the cost of governance and improving service delivery.
He said, “Data has become the currency of a knowledge-based economy, the need to protect data cannot be over emphasised…our policies at the Ministry are geared towards using ICTs as a catalyst for innovation in every sector of the economy.”
He added that the incomplete understanding of the impact of ICT at every sector for economic development has hindered the design of effective policies to enhance fully advantage of the technologies. “This has posed so much for developing countries like ours as the success or failure in leveraging ICT startups and innovations for development will determine how quickly we will catch-up with the developed countries.
In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.
According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.
In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.
Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.
Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.
This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.
Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.
Google Developer Groups Lagos (GDGLagos) has announced a regional edition of the global #BuildWithAI hackathon, in partnership with SeerBit, Africa’s most trusted payment solutions provider and GOMYCODE.
This hackathon, taking place on Saturday, April 27th and Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, will empower participants to explore Google’s AI tools, Gemini and Vertex AI and develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
“We are excited to partner with Seerbit and GoMyCode to bring the #BuildWithAI hackathon to Lagos,” says Co-Organizer, GDGLagos, Femi Taiwo. “This event fosters innovation and empowers individuals to use AI to solve real-world problems. We encourage everyone interested in AI to join us for this inspiring event.”
Founder & CEO of SeerBit, Omoniyi Kolade articulated the profound impact of this collaboration, stating, “At SeerBit, we are committed to pioneering innovative solutions that enhance financial security and foster trust in digital transactions. Collaborating with GDG Lagos amplifies our quest to combat fraud effectively. Together, we aim to empower developers to harness the power of technology for the greater good, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.”
“At GOMYCODE, we are committed to unlocking the potential of innovators across Nigeria and beyond through accessible technology education. The ‘Build With AI’ hackathon with Google Developer Groups Lagos offers a hands-on chance for innovators to use AI for real-world solutions. We’re excited to create a space where technology meets creativity, empowering participants to actively shape the future,” Country Head, GOMYCODE Nigeria, Babatunde Olaifa said.
The #BuildWithAI hackathon aligns with Google’s global initiative to democratize access to AI technology. This regional event in Lagos offers a unique opportunity for developers, data scientists, designers, students, and anyone curious about AI to:
- Gain hands-on experience with Google’s cutting-edge AI tools, Gemini and Vertex AI.
- Tackle real-world challenges across various sectors like sustainability, finance, education, healthcare, and social good.
- Leverage SeerBit’s expertise in digital payments to create solutions with tangible applications.
- Develop in-demand skills with the support of GoMyCode’s training resources.
- Collaborate in teams and network with fellow AI enthusiasts.
- Compete for a chance to win a cash prize of NGN 1,000,000, office space to further develop their winning solution, and the opportunity to partner with SeerBit, with NGN 500,000 and NGN 250,000 for second and third place respectively.
The GDGLagos #BuildWithAI hackathon serves as a springboard for the global Google AI Hackathon, taking place online. This international event focuses on pushing the boundaries of what Generative AI apps can do with Gemini. Participants in the Lagos event are highly encouraged to consider entering the global competition as well.
GDGLagos will provide ongoing support and guidance to the regional winner as they prepare to compete on the global stage. This includes access to mentorship, resources and technical expertise to help them refine their solution and showcase their talent to a worldwide audience.
Startup founders, experienced developers, data scientists and expert resources and designated mentors will be available during the hackathon to provide guidance, refine ideas, answer questions and offer technical support to participants. This ensures they receive the necessary guidance to tackle the challenges and bring their innovative ideas to life.
Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.
The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.
“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”
According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.
Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.
With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.
Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.
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