NIGERIA EMBARKS ON DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE LAUNCH OF DEVSINGOVERNMENT BY DR. TIJANI

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, has urged the community of technologists and tech enthusiasts in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the government to enhance the concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This initiative aims to transform the Nigerian Civil Service into a world-class institution and improve government services.

In a statement endorsed by Ekaete Umo, Head of Press & Public Relations at the Ministry, the Minister emphasized the crucial role technology plays in elevating the Civil Service into a high-performing, efficient, and citizen-centered institution. The mandate is to popularize the concept of digital public infrastructure to effectively deliver government services and promote the use of technology.

Dr. Tijani clarified that DPI is not about centralizing all solutions but about promoting the use of technology in government services through an effective system and infrastructure. He highlighted the limitless opportunities of DPI, empowering civil servants to carry out tasks more robustly.

The Minister emphasized that digitalization goes beyond e-Government or automating the system; it is the ability to use technology to transform services with good deliverables. The DevsInGovernment platform was established to facilitate idea sharing, change Nigeria for the better, and leverage technology’s transformative power, with the Ministry committed to empowering and fostering collaboration among technologists.

The Ministry plans to hold monthly conversations and provide training to enhance productivity through this initiative. Dr. Tijani thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Galaxy Backbone (GBB) as co-sponsors of the initiative and acknowledged the cooperation of other sister agencies under the Ministry.

Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, emphasized the need for an enabling environment, regulatory framework, infrastructure, computing power devices, and skilled manpower for desired development. Abdul-Malik Suleiman, the Acting Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, highlighted the centrality of digital transformation in the government and the role of technologists in driving the system.

DevsInGovernment serves as a platform for civil service professionals to be technology drivers in the 21st century, fostering learning and creating a transformative public service for a prosperous Nigeria. The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary, heads of agencies, and technologists from various MDAs.

News Sourcs: Techeconomy