Digital Literacy: NCC EVC Maida applauds Project Train 3m on ICT skills

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, affirms the vision of the digital skills training programme is to accelerate economic development of the country as a global technical talent hub and net exporter of talents, as well as deepen the level of digital literacy across Nigeria

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has applauded the proposal by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to enlist and train three million Nigerians within four years, to make the country an exporter of digital skills.

Maida gave the commendation while speaking at the City Business News Summit in Lagos recently.

Photo collage: Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani/LinkedIn 

The NCC Chief said the programme, which has already attracted 1 million applicants, is capable of increasing Nigeria’s pool of technically-skilled persons in the global market.

According to him, this move in turn, will lead to potential employers of digital and technical skills in the international scene to begin to engage more Nigerians.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated that Dr. Maida, represented by Ismail Adedigba, Director of Research and Development of the Commission, spoke on the theme of the summit, “Repositioning Nigerian Economy through Telecommunications: 2023 and Beyond”.

The EVC/CEO also noted that, in recognition of the rapid pace of technological advancement that is disrupting industries across the globe, Nigeria’s vision is rooted in the belief that embracing this disruption and fostering innovation would propel the West African country towards sustainable growth, economic diversification, and enhanced living standards for all Nigerian consumers.

The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman stated: “The vision is, thus, to accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and a net exporter of talents; to deepen and accelerate our position in global research in key technology areas and raise the complexity and dynamics of our economy by significantly increasing the level of digital literacy across Nigeria.”

Muoka noted Dr. Maida also affirmed that the Honourable Minister is looking to create a pipeline of three million technical talents in the country’s economy.

Major areas of focus in Project Train 3 million on ICT skills 

The EVC/CEO of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission further  explained:  “This programme, which has commenced already with over 1 million applications by potential trainees, is expected to increase the level of digital and technical skills among Nigerians, especially young and middle-level talents, to 70 percent by the end of 2027.

“This will position Nigerians to productively contribute to the economy and place us in the top 25 percentile of research globally in the key areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), IoT, Robotics, Blockchain, and Additive Manufacturing in keeping with the strategic plan unveiled by the Honourable Minister,” he said.

Maida said the policy direction of the Ministry, which is being driven by five pillars, would deliver on the goals of fostering economic growth and development.

He equally itemised the pillars to include policy; infrastructure; innovation, entrepreneurship and capital; trade  and knowledge, which are said to be the bedrock of the Strategic Vision Plan (2023–2025).

Maida stated the focus areas would form the guide to channel the Commission’s efforts at harnessing the potential of the telecommunications sector while driving positive change in Nigeria.

The Commission remains committed to providing an enabling environment for the building of the critical infrastructure required to power a strong digital economy, guarantee improved access to quality broadband connectivity, and the efficient management of the nation’s spectrum resources, stated the Executive Vice-Chairman.

He said: “As we work with our supervising Ministry – Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – to take these steps to provide the enabling environment for repositioning the Nigerian Economy through telecommunications in 2023 and beyond, we call on Nigerians—and especially our compatriots in the media—to tap into the aspects of these interventions that are relevant to them.

“The ambitious plans we have set out may seem lofty and even incredible, but through strategic partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders, we believe that they are achievable.”