Stakeholders canvass retention of Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue
Stakeholders in the public and private sector, particularly those from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have canvassed the retention of the quarterly Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue, saying it was an avenue for industry thought leaders to assemble and discuss the future of digital Nigeria and its prospects.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said at the recent event organized by the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD) with the theme: “Growing the Nigerian Economy Through Mobile Innovation and Investment” that an event such as the Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue provides a platform to optimize new digital opportunities and make the ICT sector the next focal point for development.
The minister said, “Events such as the Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue should be retained as it is in line with the government’s policy to leverage on the ICT sector for efficient and transparent governance, inclusive participation of the public in government activities as well as socio-economic diversification.”
He explained that the import of the event is for the various stakeholders from public and private sector to critically assess the Nigeria’s current economic situation proffer innovative digital solutions that can be used to explore the mobile ecosystem, which will eventually grow the economy and improve the living standards of Nigerians.
On his part, Dr Bayero Agabi, the Executive Director of CECAD affirmed that the Nigeria of today calls for urgent attention, which must be driven by digital technologies, innovation and knowledge economies.
Agabi assured that Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue has come to stay as it has consistently provided perception into the government’s economic diversification plans using the digital eco-system to facilitate an enabling environment for job creation, youth innovation and improved government service provision.
“The good thing is that stakeholders at this year’s Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue have agreed that innovative digital solutions that can grow the Nigerian economy and improve the living standards of Nigerians must be encouraged. What the event has successfully done is that it has been able to foster and promote a digital and innovative Nigerian economy, which can easily contribute to the actualization of a Smart Nigeria,” he emphasized.
The event was attended by representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Communications, the National Identity Management Commission, the Nigerian Communication Commission, and the National Information Technology Development Agency.
