The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is set to partner Japan on issues of technology development in the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami made this known in Abuja when he received the ambassador-designate of Japan, Mr. Sadanabu Kusaote Umer and his entourage who came on a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
Represented by the permanent secretary, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu, Pantami said the visit came at a time the ministry was working assiduously towards digitizing the country’s economy.
Noting that the economy of Japan is being driven by modern technology, he said it would be of immense benefit for Nigeria to collaborate with the Japan to develop her digital economy sector which would in turn increase her Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The minister said the digital economy added to the communications ministry is to enable it digitize the economy thereby enhance economic growth, create employment especially for its teaming youths and bring about better life for the people generally.
He reiterated that to partner Japanese companies on technology development particularly in the area of digitalization of Nigerian economy was a very welcome development.
Considering that Nigeria is a mono economy of which its main source of revenue is oil and with the price of crude oil no longer attractive in the global market, he said Nigeria could no longer depend on oil alone to advance as a nation. He stated that the time had come to “think out of the box” by diversifying our economy in the area of digitalization of the economy.
Pantami said the ministry was looking forward to a stronger partnership with the Japanese technology companies for employment generation for Nigerians who are unemployed, especially its youths.
Earlier in his remarks, Umer itemized the purpose of Japan’s cooperation with Nigeria as the realization of a digital society in the country; introducing digital technology for more effective and efficient development cooperation in various areas; infrastructure development for building a digital society; supporting spontaneous development through the spread of digitalization; and developing a secure, free and open cyber environment to ensure Nigeria’s ownership of data. He added that other areas of cooperation included existing projects and future plans.
