MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL ECONOMY PARTNERS JAPAN ON TECHNOLOGY
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has said the Federal Government is willing to partner Japan on technology development in its quest to enhance technological development and digitise Nigeria’s national economy. The Minister made this pledge when he played host to the Ambassador-designate of Japan His Excellency, Mr. Sadanabu Kusaote Umer and his entourage in his office in Abuja recently.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu, the Minister also said it was a pleasure to have the Ambassador to interact with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy at a time it is working assiduously towards digitising the country’s economy.
He noted that the economy of Japan is being driven by modern technology and that it will be of immense benefit for Nigeria to collaborate with the Government of of the country to develop her digital economy sector, which will in turn increase her Gross Domestic Product GDP.
“The Digital Economy was added to the Communications Ministry to enable it digitise the economy thereby enhancing economic growth, create employment especially for iNigeria’s teaming youths and bring about better life for the people generally.
“To partner Japanese companies on technology development particularly in digitalisation of Nigeria’s economy is a very welcome development.
“Nigeria is a mono economy of which its main source of revenue is oil and that the price of crude oil is no longer attractive in the global market, therefore Nigeria can no longer depend on oil alone to advance as a nation. The time has come to think out of the box by diversifying our economy through the digitalisation of the nation’s economy”, he said.
The Minister assured that his Ministry is looking forward to a stronger partnership with Japan’s technology companies for employment generation for its people who are unemployed, especially its youths. He noted that the Nigerian government is very passionate about the digitalisation of the country’s economy and has been working assiduously to actualise that.
Speaking earlier, the Ambassador-designate said that the purposes of Japan’s cooperation with Nigeria are numerous; first; for the realisation of a digital society in the country by introducing digital technology for more effective and efficient development, cooperation in various areas through infrastructure development for building a digital society; supporting spontaneous development through the spread of digitalisation; and developing a secure, free and open cyber environment to ensure Nigeria’s ownership of data. Other areas of cooperation include existing projects and plans for the future.
(Business and Transport)
