Nigeria keen on tech devt as FG partners Microsoft on identity mgt

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has reiterated the commitment of his government to investing in technology for the betterment of the country. Tinubu, who stated this when he met with the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum ( WEF) Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recalled that technology was very helpful to his administration when he was the governor of Lagos State.

He called for support from Microsoft in his time as president.

At the meeting, Microsoft revealed that it is working with the federal government to develop a ‘ one- identity’ technological platform that can integrate variegated data.

Gates noted that the identity platform would explain the centrality of data harmonisation to planning, security, and tax efficiency in the country.

He explained that the ID technology called MOSIP would ensure that every Nigerian gets digital benefits. In addition to providing this technology support, the Microsoft Founder said he is ready to do more of Nigeria.

While noting that the drive to support Nigeria’s digitisation efforts is aimed at harmonising the country’s scattered data, Gates said: “We are working with Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, on digitisation. Before you came into office, there were a few things attempted in identity management. But they have been very scattered. There have been multiple identification systems.

“Now, there is a plan to take that technology called MOSIP and use it for this identification platform so that people can get digital benefits. We are providing support for that, and we can provide more support.’’