In a significant move to advance collaboration in the field of the digital economy and to fulfil President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of creating one million digital jobs for Nigerians by 2025.
This was revealed during a meeting between the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani – represented by the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi – and the director-general of the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Dr. Madan Tripathi, in India.
The meeting, which took place as part of the Federal Government’s participation at the G20 Summit in India, aimed to deepen the understanding of India’s digital economy and explore avenues for knowledge sharing and collaboration. The discussions encompassed various topics, including digital skills development, cybersecurity and innovation.
Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of Tijani, expressed optimism about the prospects of mutual growth and highlighted the significance of leveraging India’s extensive expertise in digital technologies to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.
Leaders from both Nigeria and India emphasised that this partnership goes beyond bilateral cooperation; it is about contributing to the broader global digital ecosystem. They believed that by joining forces, they could accelerate their respective digital transformations while also playing a more influential role in shaping the global tech space.
In a related development, the Nigerian delegation also paid a working visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). Vice President, global trade development, Mr. Shivendra Singh welcomed the Nigerian team and engaged them in fruitful discussions regarding potential areas of collaboration in the tech ecosystem.
Singh highlighted India’s thriving software and service industry, which has earned a global reputation for excellence. He expressed enthusiasm for working with Nigeria to identify trade partners and explore synergies that could benefit both nations.
Abdullahi, representing Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to building a robust digital economy. He discussed the government’s initiatives to support tech innovation and foster a vibrant startup ecosystem in Nigeria, emphasising the need for international partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s progress in the digital space.
Singh acknowledged Nigeria’s growing influence in Africa’s tech ecosystem and expressed a willingness to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between Nigerian and Indian tech companies.
Following these productive meetings, the Nigerian and Indian teams agreed to develop an execution plan focused on the identified areas of cooperation, which include skills development, technology transfer and business partnerships. The goal is to strengthen bilateral relations and promote sustainable development in the digital economy.
