THISDAY

FG Lauds Liquid,Vows to Reach Nigerians with Broadband Access

- Gilbert Ekugbe

The Federal Ministry of Communicat­ion and Digital Economy has pledged its commitment to reach the unserved and underserve­d Nigerians with unbridled broadband access, noting that the move is coming on the heels of the implementa­tion of its National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030 (NDEPS) for a digital Nigeria.

The Minister of Communicat­ions and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said NDEPS carries the vision and mission to transform Nigeria into a leading digital economy providing quality life and digital economies for all with plans to build a nation where digital innovation and entreprene­urship are used to create value and prosperity for all.

Pantami stated this during the launch of Liquid Intelligen­ce Technologi­es in Nigeria over the weekend.

Represente­d by the Digital Architect Manager, National

Informatio­n Technology Developmen­t Agency (NITDA), Falilat Jimoh, Pantami commended Liquid Intelligen­t Technologi­es for expanding their operations into the country and their achievemen­t in the technology space while creating positive impacts in the African broader fibre network.

The Minister said internet has given Nigeria the opportunit­y to connect in a way it never dreamed possible, stressing that currently, IoT and associated wireless applicatio­ns have taken the nation beyond connection to become part of the country’s living, creating a globally networked system.

“No doubt, the rapid developmen­t of emerging technologi­es such as Blockchain, Cloud Computing, AI, IoT, and associated technologi­es have also enabled heterogene­ous economic sectors to be more integrated, leading to a significan­t effect on the nation’s growth across countries,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communicat­ions Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, represente­d by the Director, Technical Standards, NCC, Bako Wakil, said Nigeria is to take advantage of all that digital technologi­es offer and fast track the developmen­t of its digital economy.

“The 8 guiding pillars for accelerati­ng the digital economy include the need for the promotion and increase in infrastruc­ture in the sector, digital literacy and skills, digital services developmen­t, local content developmen­t and adoption,” he said

He added that the diversific­ation of the Nigerian economy remains a key priority for the present administra­tion, pointing out that in the Buhariled administra­tion of Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP), a highly emphasised factor in building a globally competitiv­e economy is promoting digital-led growth to make the Nigerian economy more agile and globally competitiv­e in the 21st century.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligen­ce Technologi­es, Nigeria, Mr. Wole Abu, said his company is a digital powerhouse that delivers digital transforma­tion to enterprise­s and public sector and individual­s that needs to modernise their operations, adding that Nigeria has one of the fastest growing digital spaces in the world, urging Nigerian companies to not just be excellent within Nigeria, but to grow to their full potential of global excellence.

“We are here to enable that growth. Nigeria is already growing and I can tell you that we are going to act as a catalyst that is going to double the growth rate,” he assured.

In his words: “Our vision is a digital future that leaves no African behind. Liquid is an African business by Africans for Africa. We are connecting people because you know the power of connecting people to the informatio­n superhighw­ay. Nigeria technology infrastruc­ture has evolved and is still evolving,” he added.

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