Digital Economy: FG Urges Stakeholders Cooperation To Achieve Benefits

The National Information Technology Development (NITDA) has urged the government, people, and institutions to pool their resources in order to take advantage of the potential advantages of the digital economy.

The call was made on Wednesday in Ilorin by Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA during a lecture on digital economy awareness titled 'Digital Economy: The Triple Helix Model of Government, People, and Institutions'.

The seminar was organised by the Kwara State University's (KWASU) Malete Center for Digital Economy (CDE).

The triple helix model, according to Abdullahi, who was represented by Oladejo Olawumi, a Director at the agency, is an interaction between these three in order to promote the economic transformation of diverse economic sectors.

He said that while the government still plays a critical regulatory function, the people and industries are the main means of commercialization.

"Government’s role is therefore critical in the development of the Digital Economy because it must create an environment that is conducive for innovation, investment and growth.

"NITDA has mapped out its 2021 to 2024 Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) with seven pillars.

"The strategy’s implementation will not only ensure the development, usage and sustainability of digital technologies, but will also deepen Nigeria’s economy digitally, diversify the economy, promote innovation and digital literacy, among others.

"On the other hand, tertiary institutions play a critical role in the development of the Digital Economy.

"They are the engines of innovation and provide the knowledge, skills and research necessary for the Digital Economy to grow.

"It is important that they align their activities and curriculum with current societal demands and provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through internships at relevant organisations,” he said.

The head of NITDA stated that by providing infrastructure, funding, and rules that encourage capacity development, the government, through entities like NITDA, can support these institutions.

"At the same time, it is important to remember that the people are at the heart of the Digital Economy.

"They are the consumers, workers and entrepreneurs driving its growth and the ones who stand to benefit the most from the new opportunities and services it provides.

"It is crucial that the Digital Economy is inclusive and sustainable, benefiting everyone,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that though the Digital Economy presents a wealth of opportunities for growth and innovation, it is important that stakeholders work together as government, institutions and people to ensure that it is inclusive and sustainable for all.

The Centre for Digital Innovation (CDE) was founded in February 2022, according to Prof. Shaykh Luqman Jimoh, the Acting Vice Chancellor of KWASU.

Its mission is to serve as "the Centre for digital innovation thinking, reasoning, harnessing opportunities, resource mobilisation, leadership and value-reorientation for a digital-economy drive in Kwara and Nigeria at large."

Since its founding, KWASU, according to Jimoh, has been a pioneer in lifelong learning at the tertiary level by offering a wealth of educational possibilities to the neighbourhood and the surrounding area.

The CDE was founded as a result to open up channels for digital education so that people may participate in the digital economy.

The centre works with the Ilorin Innovation Hub and has the support of NITDA for training in the digital economy.

The CDE was created with the intention of bringing digital economy capacity development to the community and utilising the positive digital energy of our youth at all levels, according to Prof. Kajogbola Alao, the chairman of the CDE Board.

He expressed confidence that KWASU would eventually rank among the top colleges in Nigeria for Bsc in Digital Economy awards.