Minister’s Week In Review
Last week’s (October 7 – 11, 2024) recap of the activities of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
INTRO?
The week under review was eventful as we successfully launched the Nigeria AI Collective and received significant support from organisations such as Luminate Group to facilitate our drive towards growing our Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
Another key engagement during the week was the Moonshot by TechCabal where among other sessions, I joined other stakeholders in a ministerial roundtable session to explore opportunities for harmonising digital trade policies and regulations across African countries.
KEY FOCUS
Capacity Building: To demonstrate its support for our drive to position Nigeria as a leading player in the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Luminate Group announced a $1.5million commitment for the newly launched Nigeria AI Collective towards supporting our Ministry’s effort in developing Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.
Digital Trade Facilitation: As a key component of our Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, Trade Facilitation between Africa and the rest of the world was the topic of discussion at the Moonshot by TechCabal Ministerial Roundtable. There I engaged with private and public sector stakeholders to identify the key barriers to digital trade in Africa, including infrastructure gaps, regulatory challenges, and digital skills shortages, and discuss strategies to overcome them.
TIMELINE
Monday
My first official engagement for the week was to formally launch the Nigeria AI Collective, a community of practice bringing together expertise from civil society, academic, tech, and other sectors working together to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria and ensure its safe and ethical use, for the good of all in society.?
The Collective, which will be managed by a consortium of organisations such as Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University), Data Science Nigeria, and The Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), is supported by the Luminate Group.
An important highlight of the event was the announcement of a $1.5million commitment to the AI Collective by Stephen King, CEO, Luminate Group to support Nigeria’s effort towards developing our AI ecosystem.?
Tuesday
I hosted Hannatu Musawa, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, in my office to discuss areas of collaboration between our Ministries towards delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
I also received briefings from a number of agency heads including Jane Egerton-Idehen, MD/CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT); Daser David, President/CEO, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI); and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Wednesday
On Wednesday, I was in Lagos to attend the second edition of Moonshot by TechCabal where my first engagement was a fireside chat with Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO, Big Cabal Media, on the main stage of the event. Our discussion focused on proffering solutions to challenges facing the technology and innovation ecosystem through capacity building, connectivity, infrastructure development, trade and investments, and much more.
Next was a trade ministerial roundtable themed, ‘Facilitating Digital Trade Between Africa & the World’, where key stakeholders from across Africa and the global community came together to explore opportunities for harmonising digital trade policies and regulations across African countries with global standards, facilitating easier cross-border trade and investment.
领英推荐
The insightful roundtable session had notable personalities in attendance including Will Stevens, Consul General, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos; Jonny Baxter, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos; Michel Deelen, Consul General, Kingdom of the Netherlands; Florent Mangin, Head of Regional Economic Development, France; amongst others.
I then met with members of the Tech Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) with a view to identifying areas of collaboration and providing support the Ministry’s agenda through policy formulation.
I later headed to another roundtable engagement at Moonshot by TechCabal where I met with stakeholders in the Nigerian tech industry to highlight my plans for the sector and progress made so far. The interactive session was moderated by Basil Udotai, Founding Partner & Tech Policy Lead, Johnson & Wilner LLP.?
Later in the evening, I met with Jonny Baxter, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, to discuss areas of support and opportunities for collaboration as Nigeria positions as a leading voice in the global discourse on innovation and technology development.?
Thursday
I addressed a gathering of innovators, thought leaders, and policy makers at the Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Think Summit themed, ‘Future Reimagined’. There, I spoke on the role of technology in creating financial innovation as we work towards accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy for the benefit of all its citizens.
My next meeting in Lagos? was with Sunil Taldar, MD/CEO, Airtel Africa and Carl Cruz, MD, Airtel Nigeria, to discuss issues related to the overall state of telecoms services in Nigeria, as this is a critical imperative towards accelerating the growth of our digital economy.
Friday?
I met with Aishat Alubankudi, Programme Manager, Grant for Vulnerable Groups, to identify areas of support from my ministry for the programme as it delivers on its mandate to assist poor and vulnerable Nigerians in rural and peri-urban areas across the country.????
I then received a team from the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) led by its MD/CEO, Jane Egerton-Idehen, who delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the business case for NIGCOMSAT 2A and 2B Satellite, and also an education solution leveraging satellite technology.???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
BLUEPRINT REVIEW
Last week, my activities focused on the Innovation and Trade pillar objectives of his Strategic Blueprint as I formally launched the Nigeria AI Collective towards advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria and ensuring its safe and ethical use.?
I also engaged with technology and innovation ecosystem players, and participated in an insightful ministerial roundtable session on facilitating digital trade in Africa at the second edition of Moonshot by TechCabal.?
MSc Automotive Engineering for Electric Vehicles |Process Engineer @ Renishaw |EV Technical Lead @ Jet System Automobile Limited| |Motorsports Aerodynamicist
1 个月You are doing a great Job Minister.
Founder / CEO at Clodocs Ltd.
1 个月You are doing great sir ??
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
1 个月This is quite innovative. Kudos!!!
Multiskilled Mechanical Engineer (First class) | Energy, Climate action x Environment sustainability | Project Management & Business Analysis (UK) | R&D Saavy
1 个月Dear Minister Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani , I commend your openness and willingness to engage with the public, even though it inevitably invites criticism—sometimes from those who might seize any opportunity to be critical, regardless of the circumstances. However, I see this transparency as a significant step towards accountability, which is something Nigerians have long desired from their leaders. Many in positions of power often avoid open criticism, preferring to operate in isolation, yet I believe that fostering an environment where honest feedback is welcomed is essential for progress. Your efforts to remain transparent and accountable are deeply appreciated, and I encourage you to continue leading with this openness. It not only builds trust but also sets an important example for others in leadership positions. Thank you for your service to the nation.
CYBER SECURITY ANALYST| IT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL|CompTIA ITF +|Award-Winning WRITER| SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER| DIGITAL LIBRARIAN| Information scientist| Computer Applications| 3MTT Cybersecurity Alumni
1 个月Dr. Tijani.... I knew your personality far back during your Ministerial Screening. Right in the Assembly a stunt was pulled about your tweet years ago. How you responded, reacted and acted made me wtent to sleep with prayers "God let them not deny that man of the portfolio, because he has the mind of the Youth". And he is a Youth. So, I'm not surprised by your outstanding qualities thus, who the cap fits wears it. More grace and greater heights sir??????.