The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has stressed the imperative for Nigeria to join the global movement towards a technology-powered global order in view of the potential socioeconomic benefits to the country.
The minister made this remark at a recent stakeholders’ workshop organised by his ministry to review the zero draft document outlining Nigeria’s stance on the Global Digital Compact (GDC) Nigeria preparatory to the upcoming Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2024.
Tijani, who was represented at the forum by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, stressed the importance of Nigeria’s participation in the UN’s efforts to close the digital divide and promote a safe and secure digital space.
He said: “Our contributions to the overall policies making process of the UN will enable us to highlight what we have achieved and also show our unified position on the Global Digital Compact’s future Summit.”
According to him, the key point that will occupy Nigerian delegation’s discussion at the summit is ‘Digital Transformation and Digital Revolution,’ based on emerging megatrends such as climate change, which many countries in the world are confronted with, including desert encroachment, COVID-19 pandemics, global conflicts, and economic meltdown.
Tijani described technology as a pivotal tool that would help Nigeria to deal with the myriad of challenges the country is currently contending with.
In his speech at the event, the Country Director for Nigeria at the United Nations Information Centre, Ronald Kayanja, elaborately talked on the significance of the GDC in addressing the global digital divide, particularly in Africa.
