Dear Mr. President,
I am writing to you following my appointment as the Minister for Information Technology of Nigeria to share my proposal for urgent actions the nation should take to ensure our growth in this sector.
The most important action I will recommend is the adoption of a National Digital Strategy. This strategy should provide a framework to create digital infrastructure, promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote social inclusion. Additionally, this strategy should be comprehensive and collaborative enough to foster collaboration between all stakeholders involved in this sector. Some elements that could be incorporated into the strategy include:
- Establishing national regulations governing digital communications, data storage, and other services.
- Developing initiatives to increase internet access and reduce costs by investing in further digital infrastructure.
- Investing in local digital talent and training in order to increase digital literacy and skills.
- Fostering an inclusive ecosystem by removing barriers to entry for digital businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Developing programs to support SMEs and startups in the technology space.
- Encouraging public and private sector collaboration to drive innovation.
- Promoting data-driven decision making to drive smart policies and decisions.
These are just some of the key elements that should be considered when developing the National Digital Strategy. It should be embraced by all stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society, and the public.
The second action that I recommend is the creation of a National Digital Authority, which will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Digital Strategy. This Authority should have both public and private sector representatives and the ability to implement initiatives designed to meet the goals outlined in the Strategy.
The third action to recommend is the investment in human capital. This should involve providing digital literacy and skills training opportunities, particularly for youth, women, and marginalised communities. Additionally, public investment in educational institutions, research, and development should be increased in order to spur the growth and development of digital businesses and entrepreneurs.
Finally, I recommend the adoption of a National Digital Education strategy. This would involve developing an integrated approach to education which would include teaching digital skills, ensuring relevance of curriculum to current and future needs, and facilitating entrepreneurship.
I believe that by taking these actions, we can ensure the growth of the IT sector in Nigeria and harness it to become a world leader in digital services and products.
I look forward to discussing this with you further.
Yours Sincerely,
Minister of Information Technology