Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the government’s dedication to achieving nationwide connectivity through the implementation of fibre optic cables in the next two to three years. Tijani made these remarks prior to the third Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) cohort graduation event, a mentorship program for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs which was organised by the Israeli embassy in Abuja. The minister emphasized the government’s focus on developing the skilled technology workforce to drive economic growth in the nation.
He further emphasized the urgent need for full implementation of the fibre optic network, stating that Nigeria must accomplish this within the next two to three years. When President Bola Tinubu’s first term ends, one of his main goals will be to ensure that Nigeria has a highly skilled technology workforce capable of driving technological advancement. Additionally, the country has the potential to export a surplus of technology professionals. He will also place a high importance on enhancing connectivity.
Current challenges should be addressed to advance economies.
In order for the digital economy to flourish, affordable connectivity is crucial. It should be accessible nationwide, including in rural areas. His main focus is on ensuring the full implementation of the fibre optic network in Nigeria within the time frame, with the support of the President. Tijani emphasized the importance of addressing current challenges by emphasizing the need for AI skills to keep up with the advanced economies of the world. He stated that in order to meet the demands of today’s reality and tomorrow’s innovations, confronting modern issues is crucial.
The minister emphasized that all developed nations are feeling anxious about the progress of AI, noting that they lack the necessary workforce to support its advancement. He stressed the importance of participating in the AI revolution, even if only to contribute to the workforce, in order to avoid wasting time. The minister also warned that within the next few years, AI will significantly influence the thought processes and actions. The advancement of technology will be driven by artificial intelligence.
Strong participation in AI modelling is needed to avoid future biasness.
There is a possibility that within the next 5 to 10 years, the world will likely witness an increase in conversations about racial discrimination in relation to artificial intelligence. This is mainly due to the fact that AI algorithms are currently being trained on data sets that may perpetuate biases. In order to prevent similar issues from affecting Nigerians, it is important for them to actively participate in shaping and contributing to these data sets.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the transformative potential of AI in various sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, as well as productivity. According to him, AI presents better prospects for them compared to the developed countries, enabling them to enhance their efficiency in industries and sectors where the necessary strength is lacking. He also emphasized the crucial role of entrepreneurs in achieving these goals and mentioned that the government has initiatives in place to nurture and support them.
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i-FAIR was created to cultivate a new wave of innovative thinkers, inventors, and researchers in Nigeria, with a special emphasis on inspiring the younger generation. This 6-month program empowers individuals to turn their ideas into tangible projects through the support of technology, education, guidance, and mentorship from professionals hailing from Israel and Nigeria. i-FAIR aims to facilitate the transformation of ideas into innovations and inventions by providing a conducive process and environment for bright minds to thrive.
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