The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) has conferred the Digital Economy Driver Award on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami for “positioning Nigeria’s digital economy sector on the path of sustainable development.”
The association bestowed the honour on the minister when its new executive members visited him in his office.
It said the award was in recognition of the minister’s efforts in the formulation and implementation of policies to accelerate the digitization of the nation’s economy.
“These efforts led to an ICT sector that had the highest growth rate in the 4th quarter of 2020 at 14.70 per cent as attested to by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Q4 2020 Report. It also led to an increase in broadband penetration to an unprecedented 45.07 per cent as well as a significant drop in the cost of data,” the association said.
It also acknowledged that the minister has given priority to inclusive digital literacy and skills programmes to empower unemployed youths, artisans, women, persons living with disabilities, public servants, farmers and community leaders, among others.
The body said the efforts of the minister had brought about a significant transformation in the nation’s digital economy landscape.
“We appreciate all that you have been doing since your appointment, the digital economy sector has witnessed tremendous success and growth under your stewardship,” the body said.
The NITRA team also commended the minister for coming up with many people-oriented developmental policies and overseeing their implementation.
A statement by the technical assistant to the minister on Information Technology, Dr Femi Adeluyi, said the body praised the minister for the ongoing NIN-SIM verification process and identified it as an exercise of great national importance which will accelerate economic national development.
