Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Tijani Bosun has said that Nigeria requires about $2 million to lay 135,000-kilometre fibre optics across the country by 2027.
This is even as he revealed that he is seriously pushing to create 3 million digital jobs and achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by 2027 to move Nigeria to rank among the top 25 digital economies in the world.
The Minister made this known at the weekend at an interactive meeting with journalists in Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by his Strategic Communications Adviser, Mr. Osibo Imhoitsike noted that he is putting measures in place to attract multi-national investors to come and invest in Nigeria, which he said would bring a boost to the players in the industry.
‘’It is our desire that the ministry will attract the right funding to drive all its initiatives and innovation from big time investors in the next four years. We believe we can address problems with innovation that is why we are creating the enabling environment to attract investors,’’ he said.
Bosun explained that his strategic blueprint is centred on five pillars of Knowledge; Policy, Infrastructure’ Innovation, entrepreneurship, and capital and Trade, which the 3 million jobs plan is captured in.
On Knowledge, he noted that one of his plans to measure knowledge by the next four years is to create the 3 million digital jobs across the country and with about 95 per cent literacy already created, more people will be able to use digital literacy over the next four years.
On Policy front, he explained that a new digital economy Bill will be launched soon which will provide a guide and direct all players and stakeholders in the sector
Similarly, he disclosed that works are already ongoing to connect the 774 LGAs across the country, using NigComSat infrastructure. When completed, he said citizens would be able to access the facilities for birth registration, National Identity Number enrolment, and other services, without necessarily going to the state capital.
Speaking on trade, the Minister said he aims to achieve 99 per cent trade across Africa and globally by 2027, and would leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area, AFCFTA in so doing.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Faruk Yabo said the ministry sees the media as strategic partners in selling the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
‘’We see media as very close partners in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda. The essence of government is to provide services and to do what it made known through the MDAs. We feel it is important to educate you on what the ministry is doing so that you have the a clear understanding of what you are reporting.’’
