Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has announced Nigeria’s intention to pursue collaborations in three key technology sectors as part of its agenda for the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78). In a document shared on his LinkedIn page titled “Driving Nigeria’s Economic Growth through Global Partnerships in Innovation and Technology,” the minister emphasised three core areas of partnership interest: the Universal Service Provision Fund, AI training, and economic diversification through technology.
According to him, his attendance at several events on the sidelines of the 78th session of UNGA 2023 is of profound significance as Nigeria positions itself at the nexus of technological innovation and sustainable development. He explained that this year’s UNGA presents an opportune moment to align Nigeria’s strategies, initiatives and aspirations with the global community. “Ahead of the start of what will be a busy week with global leaders and partners, I would like to elucidate on the top priorities that anchor my participation,” he said.
First on the agenda is expanding the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). “Connectivity is a catalyst for progress. As we work towards bridging the digital divide, we seek partnerships that can boost the USPF. Our goal is to connect a vast number of unserved and underserved communities in Nigeria, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that every Nigerian benefits from the digital revolution,” he said.
Also on the list is positioning Nigeria as a hub for AI training. He stated “Nigeria brims with a vibrant pool of talent, potential and innovation. We aspire to put Nigeria on the global map as a premier destination for AI model training. Not only does this promise significant job creation, but it also emphasises our commitment to enhancing the inclusivity and robustness of AI datasets. We envision capturing the nuances of dark data from the global south, ensuring that AI solutions resonate with a diverse spectrum of lived experiences.”
Accelerating economic diversification through technology is the last on the agenda. “The agenda set forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, champions economic diversification powered by technological applications. Our mission at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is clear – catalyse the productivity of critical sectors using technology” he explained. “To this end, we are in pursuit of partnerships that can increase capital inflow to Nigerian startups via Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), bolstering our entrepreneurial ecosystem and setting the stage for sustainable growth,” he stated.
He submitted that collaboration with global leaders and stakeholders aims to bring forth a brighter, digital and inclusive future for Nigeria. This presents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s international relationships, understand emerging trends and co-design pathways that can elevate the prosperity of the nation. The theme for the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all”.
Source: AFRICA BUSINESS
