The Nigerian government on Thursday announced its plans to engage citizens in digital activities from the comfort of their homes during the restriction of movement due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement signed by the technical assistant (Information Technology) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Femi Adeluyi, the initiative would empower innovators and entrepreneurs with skills required to thrive in the emerging digital economy.
The statement highlighted websites for accessibility to the online activities.
Read the full statement below
“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, launched the Digital Nigeria Programme on the 19th of March, 2020 as “one of Federal Government’s key initiatives that will empower innovators and entrepreneurs with skills required to thrive in our emerging digital economy”.
In furtherance to this, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, is promoting options for digital training for Nigerians. This is especially important at a time when the world stays home to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is partnering with a number of institutions to enable Nigerians acquire cutting edge digital skills within the comfort of their homes. One of such partnerships is based on the MoU signed with IBM on the 16th of January, 2020.
Through this partnership and as part of the IBM Digital Nation Africa programme, the Ministry will be providing Nigerians with over 280+ hours of free learning & 85+ courses on key emerging technologies like:
Blockchain;
Artificial Intelligence;
Big Data; and
Cloud Computing.
Nigerians are encouraged to register today at http://idna.digitalnigeria.gov.ng.
Users can also access the programme through the “IBM Digital Nation Africa” App on Google Play Store.
The Ministry will be sharing similar opportunities in the coming days on its social media pages, website and on www.digitalnigeria.gov.ng . These programmes will include training courses provided as a result of our collaborations with the following partners:
African Development Bank (Coding for Employment programme); and
Huawei (ICT Academy Telecom and Information Technology Skills programme).
“The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to developing the capacity of Nigerians to use technology to solve problems. We will also deploy technology to limit the disruption to education and the economy caused by COVID-19.
Through the Digital Nigeria programme, we will empower Nigerians to develop skills and build innovative solutions to tackle challenges within our community. #DigitalNigeria.”
