An IT expert, Jide Awe, has described President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the information and communication technology and telecommunication sectors as a mixed bag.

Mr Awe, the founder of Jidaw.com Ltd., said this on Sunday while assessing the president’s impact in the sector after one year in office.

According to him, the Tinubu-led administration’s focus indicates a strategic approach to transforming Nigeria’s ICT and telecoms sectors.

On successes, he said the launch of the 3MTT Programme, aimed at training three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills, was a high-visibility initiative.

Mr Awe said the programme on fostering digital skills and job creation would contribute to much-needed economic diversification. According to Mr Awe, it has created awareness about IT job opportunities, and the economic outlook is promising.

He noted that the initiative should be sustained and similar programmes encouraged.

The IT expert stressed the need to support digital literacy initiatives and skills development programmes at all education levels to equip Nigerians with future-of-work skills, with special attention to marginalised groups.

“Also, the ongoing investments aimed at enhancing network coverage and service quality as well as encouraging digital infrastructure investments such as the landing of Meta’s deep-sea cable in Nigeria, that is expected to significantly boost internet capacity and connectivity is a good move.

“However, while the focus on improving network coverage and service quality is commendable, addressing the associated challenges remains essential.

“The administration also enacted the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), which is a crucial step towards building a trustworthy and sustainable digital economy that fosters technological advancements and innovation,” he said.

The IT expert noted that the enactment of the NDPA showed commitment to creating a safe and trustworthy environment for technological advancements.

However, Mr Awe added that effective capacity building and implementation were needed, as well as balancing innovation, data protection, and privacy in enforcement.

He said that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) ‘s recent decision to develop a certification for data protection professionals in Nigeria was a step in the right direction, given the increase in cyberattacks.

“Another win is the support for startups, innovation and developments through the implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act, aimed at fostering a robust startup ecosystem, crucial for driving technological innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said.

The IT expert noted further that in the last year, the administration had been organising policy initiatives on artificial intelligence, such as the AI Strategy Workshop and the National AI Research Grant Scheme.

According to him, this demonstrates a recognition of the potential of leveraging emerging technologies to address our developmental challenges.

However, Mr Awe said that despite the strong commitment to addressing critical issues in Nigeria’s ICT and telecommunications sectors, challenges remained that hindered the full realisation of the administration’s efforts.

He stressed the need to raise awareness, expand education, increase research efforts, and integrate ethical considerations.

Mr Awe said that the digital divide still existed and might be widening due to harsh economic conditions, noting that high internet costs were not helping.

“Digital haves and have-nots remain an unpleasant reality. Digital accessibility and benefits remain limited to some due to economic status, gender or location. Low internet connectivity in rural and traditionally disadvantaged areas, especially the unserved and underserved areas, hinders the growth of the digital economy and limits its network impacts and benefits.

“While the policies are impressive, their benefits hinge on actual implementation with tangible results for Nigeria. Technology and policies are not simply for show or an end in themselves. Therefore, it’s crucial to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and the “digital transformation with the analogue culture” within the government that hinders efficient and effective policy implementation,” he said.

He said unreliable electricity was also hindering the growth of the digital economy. According to the expert, Nigeria’s inadequate power supply hampers the growth of tech innovation initiatives and ventures.

He noted that improving the power supply was essential to supporting ICT infrastructure and enhancing tech initiatives.

“Also, extortionist right-of-way charges, multiple taxation, insecurity of telecom infrastructure, the indiscriminate shutting down of telecommunication sites, and bureaucratic bottlenecks continue to hinder business development for telecom companies.

“This, in turn, slows down infrastructure development and technological adoption. Making telecoms a critical national infrastructure is long overdue to protect infrastructure investments,” Mr Awe said.

He advocated improving policy execution and creating a more innovation-friendly and business-friendly environment, saying that this would strengthen the capacity of government agencies involved in policy implementation, which was crucial.

“There is a need for a political will and stakeholder inclusive digital culture in governance. In particular, state governors should be encouraged to see the long-term value of removing such barriers.

“There is also a need for comprehensive oversight and evaluation mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress of tech policies to guide necessary adjustments and ensure the effectiveness of policies and initiatives.

“Also, creative support and funding policy interventions should be promoted for the ICT sector. Strategies, public-private partnerships, and incentives are needed to improve data and infrastructure affordability, encourage rural infrastructure expansion, enhance competition in the telecoms space, and develop an inclusive digital economy,” Mr Awe explained.

He also noted that meeting the National Broadband Plan (NBP) targets for internet connectivity rollout was crucial.

(NAN)