Diversification: Researchers proffer e-governance innovations at economic support conference
Omeiza Bilal
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has called on researchers to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as it aims to leverage technology for economic diversification and enhanced governance.
Tijani, who was represented by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, at the 17th International Conference on the Theory and Practice of E-Government (ICEGOV2024), held in Pretoria, South Africa, also said the Federal Government is committed to advancing digital governance in the country.
Abdullahi highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s representation at the conference, noting that out of 157 submitted papers, only 85 were accepted, reflecting the competitive nature of the event. He stated that the insights gained from the research could catalyse technological innovations crucial for Nigeria’s economic diversification and governance improvement, furthering President Tinubu’s vision.
While noting that the government is committed to supporting research initiatives the Director-General said showcased research spans various aspects of digital transformation, collectively aiming to enhance e-governance and stimulate economic growth through technological innovation.
In her presentation on “Bridging the Broadband Gap,” Hassana Asuku proposed a comprehensive strategy to improve broadband access. According to her, a multidimensional approach is needed to enhance economic inclusion and civic engagement in alignment with the government’s push for digital growth.
Adeyinka Patrick Adewumi’s research on “Digital Competency in the Public Sector” highlights the challenges posed by low digital skills among civil servants. He proposes a model for targeted training and infrastructure upgrades to accelerate digital transformation.
Dr. Agbali Mohammed’s work on Scalable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) tackles institutional barriers to deploying effective DPI in Nigeria, aiming to enhance public-private partnerships and improve regulatory frameworks.
Dr. Tanimu Mukhtar Garba’s research on Tax Compliance for SMEs introduces the Taxpoynt platform, designed to simplify tax processes for small businesses.
This advancement is crucial considering the significant role of SMEs in Nigeria’s economy.
