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Tag: CWAI

  • Olumode’s Appointment: A Round Peg in a Round Hole — CWAI

    Olumode’s Appointment: A Round Peg in a Round Hole — CWAI

    The recent appointment of the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), CG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi by the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the 14th August, 2025, is indeed a remarkable turnaround in the annals of the service and a change agent who is a welcome development.

    Since the inception of the Federal Fire Service, this is the first time such an appointment has been made, which is hailed by all and sundry, including well-meaning Nigerians who have watched the present CG grow from the ranks and file to the highest office in the service with a lot of work experience transcending various departments and courses from both within and outside the country.

    In a press release signed in Lagos by the Executive Secretary and Senior Research Fellow, Omoba Aigbegbele, it was stated that the appointment of CG Olumode has raised great expectations from Nigerians and in the diaspora, as it is seen by many to restore confidence, integrity, and credibility in an institution weakened by low morale and distrust.

    As the helmsman comes in with an experience of unblemished record and sound professional background coupled with competence and commitment to service delivery and a knack for excellence, his career history and trajectory have been serviced by discipline, hard work, and a passion to reposition and rebrand wherever he finds himself, which has rekindled the hopes and aspirations of not only Nigerians but officers and men who have worked with the new CG over time.

    The Chief Fire Officer carries a historic service burden to right the wrongs, enhance staff welfare, promote, mitigate fire disasters across the country, and is bound not to disappoint but to transform, reposition, and rebrand the office like never before seen and restore faith in the institution.

    According to the release, throughout his illustrious career, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and good character, which had earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and the public to be able to reform and drive the paradigm shift from what it used to be to a global international standard that Nigerians can be proud of.

    The statement re-emphasized the new Controller-General’s tireless efforts in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, having shown exemplary leadership particularly with his previous schedules, roles, collaboration, and work-related partnership with NGOs, CBOs. Therefore, it is no surprise that he has risen to this enviable and esteemed position.

    The appointment of CG Olumode is a testament to his efforts and unwavering dedication to the Federal Fire Service. As he assumes the mantle of this office, Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) and other civil society organizations have every confidence that he will continuously uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service delivery.

    While CWAI looks forward to a tenure marked by unprecedented success and that the CG will continue to inspire and motivate his team and management to achieve greatness and a transformative philosophy which will lead to having a long-lasting impact in the service.

    CWAI therefore endorses and thanks Mr. President for the appointment of the new Chief Fire Officer for enhanced productivity henceforth, timely response to fire emergencies, including awareness, sensitization, and collaboration with sister agencies to achieve the set mandate of the service, improved fire policies, and rebuild public trust and stakeholders’ engagement in the institution like never before seen for the overall betterment of the country.

  • NITDA’s Visionary Leadership Propels Nigeria’s ICT Sector to Global Relevance- CWAI

    NITDA’s Visionary Leadership Propels Nigeria’s ICT Sector to Global Relevance- CWAI

    …Applauds Strategic Reforms, Partnerships, and Youth Empowerment

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), an organization tasked with the regulation of the information technology, techpreneur sector of the country and other ICT development initiatives/infrastructure having met best global practices and international standards; has been repositioned and rebranded accordingly. The Agency has done this through upgrading, innovations, developmental initiatives, building capacities, advocacies, as well as enhancement of policies, processes and formation of enabling environment in the industry as it is obtainable in developed climes.

    NITDA is in partnership and collaboration with Tik-Tok, CISCO, Federal Ministry of Education, US Consulate General, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), European Union (EU), FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Abuja Enterprise Agency, Bank of Industry (BOI), African Development Bank (AfDB) and some Nigerian state governments to deepen digital literacy and impact knowledge.

    NITDA has reformed the industry through accountability, transparency and good governance practice, a fundamental change in approach and paradigm shift, thereby moving the goal post from what it used to be to a new way of doing things. It has achieved this through partnership, collaborations and synergies with international and multinational organizations, as well as blue chip companies across the globe for the betterment of the sector under the able leadership of Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE.

    Speaking on the Agency’s move to review most of its regulations, as outlined in the Agency’s comprehensive plans as encapsulated in the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 for 2024-2027, as part of efforts towards implementing the Presidential Renewed Hope priority areas in enhancing the country’s digital economy, the Director-General of NITDA, emphasized that:

    “NITDA has reached advanced stage of establishing a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which will underpin the nation’s electronic signature framework. That the framework development involved extensive research into international best practices and substantial investment in necessary infrastructure.” The DG also noted that the Agency’s legal advancements and efforts are underway to push for the enactment of a comprehensive digital economy that will incorporate the electronic signature and other critical regulatory instruments.

    This is coming as the Agency under his lead management has vigorously pursued proactive people-oriented policies and programmes that have placed the ICT industry on the pedestal for growth as it has entered into a lot of strategic partnerships and collaborations with multi-stakeholders from far and near and keeping with up-to-date ICT innovations and initiatives which have a far reaching impact on the youthful demography and blue chip companies in the country.

    Under his management and leadership, NITDA is driving innovations, ideas and community based approaches with ‘start-ups,’ partnership and collaboration to impact directly on tech organizations, ICT driven solutions for blue chip companies and regulatory frameworks to develop, build and empower the various users of technology-based platforms in the industry by making it safe, efficient and affordable for all.

    Nevertheless, NITDA is creating an enabling environment for safety, data protection and ICT enhancement within the country, as well as aggressive advocacy for the growth within the industry and putting Nigeria’s ICT image on the front burner and international stage by changing the conversation.

    The Agency, like its sister agencies across the continent, is empowering its staff through training and retraining, including manpower development in ICT and technology, so as to effectively and efficiently control and manage the various platforms and data processes available to its environs.

    In a press release signed in Lagos by Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), who is also President, Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ), the organization noted that the Information Technology agency has been able to curtail the excesses within the industry to conform with best global practices and, as well raise the standards to meet what is obtainable in Africa and other climes presently.

    CWAI further asserted that the Agency has also put the youthful demography on the world map by various programmes and ideas hub, sponsored by the Agency, showcasing Nigerian youths at exchange programmes and events and making the youths compete with other youths to fertilize ideas and grow new innovations and skill to challenge the industry and create the needed environment for competition and further innovation and skill-set development.

    CWAI therefore recognizes that NITDA has consistently driven an Information Technology Policy that is geared towards the enhancement of Nigeria’s global acceptability and certification in the digital economy, where the country’s local and foreign partners and stakeholders are carried along in an effective, efficient and affordable value chain for the growth of the ICT sector and industry, creating and empowering digital potentials and creating job opportunities and economic diversification for emerging technologies.

    Accordingly, the lead management of the agency has vigorously pursued ICT related programmes, policies and innovations that have placed the industry in a firm control so as to thwart the activities of hackers, malwares and also inform Nigerians of the need to protect its information and data, including sensitizing the industry and Nigerians on how to overcome their activities, plans and best international practices on how to protect computers, systems and platforms and safeguard their usage when the need arises in both online and offline basis.

    In spite of various challenges such as the duplicity of regulatory functions within the industry, the immediate dissemination of information to Nigerians in the event of new malwares and hacking methodologies, the constant power outage within the country for the safeguarding and protection of data and other industry challenges, NITDA has been able to drive a new narrative of investors’ confidence in the tech industry with its up-to-date capacity development, control measures put in place and the empowering of the youthful demography who throng to the digital world as a result of the information literacy and support of the agency to grow and develop the sector like never before envisaged.

    There are also ongoing stakeholders and partnership engagements to protect data rights and guarantee effective usage by promoting awareness compliance with NITDA’s mandate. The Agency is actively training the youthful population in data privacy, protection and creating a pool of globally competitive demography within the given period and also responsible for implementing the information technology policy as well as creating a framework for IT practices in the country.

    NITDA is ahead in developing IT capacity, that encourages local production of IT components to improve the country’s technological development, and job creation; regulating, establishing standards, guidelines and frameworks for IT practices and advising on copyright laws, clearing house for government IT projects and infrastructural development, including issuing Letters of No Objection to public and private applicants within three working days.

    CWAI is encouraged by the institutional development, performance, sterling leadership and capacity enhancement of the Agency in policy formation as regards the ICT growth; propelling the youth demography in the sector and the professional expertise as it relates to global competitiveness of Nigerians and their wellbeing.

    CWAI also notes that the skill deficit in human capital that hinders the country from thriving in the global digital economy would be overcome once and for all, as well as this would raise global digital competence in the country in the future, thereby expanding the service sector.

    The performance indices of the present leadership of NITDA has been sustainable and has surpassed all others since the creation of the Agency as both internal and external publics, including staff welfare, have been enhanced like never before seen, as stakeholders from far and near have endorsed the transformational leadership and the paradigm shift in spite of the daunting challenges confronting the Agency.

    It is in view of this that CWAI enjoins the tech-ecosystem and techpreneurs to raise their voices and join the clarion call for all hands to be on deck for Nigeria to be able to achieve a large value chain that facilitates youth engagement, entrepreneurship development, the MSME development and women empowerment, which will provide and empower a rich, vibrant local industry of digital training providers with globally recognized standards.

    CWAI therefore holistically supports NITDA’s drive and innovation and ideas hub in the formulation of digital policies that will put Nigeria on the global arena and market place of ideas and the future.

  • CWAI Congratulates Evans Bipi on Appointment As Commissioner 

    CWAI Congratulates Evans Bipi on Appointment As Commissioner 

    • Describes it as a testament to dedication, and victory for good governance 

    A leading non-partisan, non- profit, pressure group promoting good governance, accountability and citizens engagement, identified as Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative CWAI, has congratulated Evans Bipi on his appointment as Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    In a statement signed by Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele on Thursday, the group described Bipi’s appointment as a well-deserved recognition of his dedication to public service, good governance and commitment to the welfare of the people of Rivers State.

    “We are delighted to see Evans Bipi take on this critical role. His leadership, expertise, and passion for public service makes him an excellent fit for this position. Evans Bipi, an honest, consistent, and loyal politician, is renowned as an experienced political juggernaut in Rivers State, even being the son of Dame Patience Jonathan, Former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Evans has consistently built a strong reputation in the political arena, who can be trusted at all times.

    “Governor Fubara has made a landmark and sterling appointment as Bipi is selfless, committed and will add enormous value to the State.

    “It is worthy to note that as a seasoned public servant, Evans has served as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area in Rivers State, and Special Assistant to the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed. We are super confident that he will drive positive change, promote transparency, accountability, and community development with his new position.” The statement added.

    The group also extended congratulations to the traditional people and leaders of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Rivers State at large, on the victory of their illustrious son.

    “This appointment is not only a testament to Evans Bipi’s exceptional qualities but also a source of pride for his community.

    “We celebrate the people of Ogu/Bolo and Rivers State, who have nurtured and supported Evans Bipi’s growth into a distinguished leader. Once again, congratulations to Evans Bipi on this remarkable achievement. We wish him all the best in his new role and look forward to collaborating with him to advance our shared goals of inclusive governance and sustainable development,” Aigbegbele concluded.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Nigeria’s Digital Revolution Gains Momentum as NITDA Empowers Youths

    Nigeria’s Digital Revolution Gains Momentum as NITDA Empowers Youths

    Abuja, Nigeria – In a bid to establish Nigeria as a globally renowned center and hub of technology and innovation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is driving the country’s digital transformation with a focus on youth empowerment and global competitiveness.

    According to NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the agency’s initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide and equip Nigerians with critical digital skills. “We are committed to making Nigeria a hub for technological innovation and a leader in the global digital landscape,” Abdullahi said.

    NITDA has launched several initiatives to achieve this goal, including digital literacy programs integrated into school curricula in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education. The agency is also working with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to launch a comprehensive digital literacy initiative, empowering the next generation to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

    Strategic partnerships with organizations like the World Bank, CISCO, TikTok, the US Consulate, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) are also underway to foster a digitally literate workforce.

    Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have commended NITDA’s efforts, citing improved economic productivity and global competitiveness. “NITDA’s initiatives will improve economic productivity, increase skills and knowledge, and enhance employability, ultimately driving Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness,” said Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, Executive Secretary of the Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI).

    NITDA aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027, with expected outcomes including improved economic productivity, increased skills and knowledge, enhanced employability, and reduced dependency ratios.

    As Nigeria’s digital revolution gains momentum, the country is poised to become a hub for technological innovation and a leader in the global digital landscape.

  • CWAI Commends Audi’s Transformative Impact on NSCDC

    CWAI Commends Audi’s Transformative Impact on NSCDC

    A civil society and pressure group, non-profit and anti-corruption organization, Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative, CWAI, has stated that the crackdown on illegal miners has saved the economy huge financial revenue loss as a result of securing the mining sector which is a vital component of Nigeria’s economy. The CSO further observed that this destruction of over 350 illegal refineries has also assisted to reduce the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta region as well as the arrest and recovery of critical assets and railway materials worth over 5 billion Naira.

    It is instructive that the creation of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC’s Special Mines Marshals to combat the menace of illegal mining has also enabled the reduction of mining theft, oil and gas sector of the country as the present management of the NSCDC under the leadership of Dr Abubakar Audi is determined to nip in the bud these challenges once and for all.

    Howbeit, the creation of the Civil Defence Academy in Jos, Plateau State, for career development and progression; the creation of NSCDC Arms Squad Training School at Ugede Development Area in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State is very instructive; the massive acquisition of mini fire fighter tankers for disaster management in case of emergencies are worthy of note and big morale booster for the corps and the procurement of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles for the NSCDC to use in fighting criminalities across the country is a welcome development under the present administration.

    In a press release signed in Warri, Delta State by the Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele on Tuesday, the CSO identified bad governance, abject poverty and unemployment as some of the root causes of attacks on our critical oil and gas assets including the mining sector in the country. He stated that poverty and hunger have contributed to the damages being recorded in the oil and gas facilities and that the degradation of the environment due to exploration and oil spills has not helped matters as it has deprived communities’ access to their traditional methods of livelihoods.

    The organization observed that: “There is therefore the need to confront and tackle poverty and other issues, so as to reduce the menace.” That government should deploy special equipment, create forums to engage the various communities, collaborate and partner with private security guards, armed forces and intelligence services to stem the tide of oil theft and mining plundering.

    In an effort to curb Illegal mining and create safe mining environment recently, the Federal Government commissioned 350 additional operatives of the NSCDC as mining marshals. This is happening barely few months after the first batch of 2,220 mining marshals were inaugurated. This is as the marshals underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to reforming the unlicensed operators across the country. According to reports, since the inauguration, over 200 illegal mining suspects have been arrested, 133 prosecutions underway and confiscated illegally mined minerals forfeited to the Federal Government. CWAI gathered that as part of its efforts to strengthen, protect and safeguard schools across the country, the Save School Initiative was launched for the protection of vulnerable schools and to reduce the menace of kidnapping in schools and the creation of the NSCDC Female Squad to aid in tackling kidnappings and other restiveness in schools which has yielded enormous dividends by the reduction of this heinous crime.

    CWAI noted the various institutional nationwide reformations presently taking place across the corps as well as the new sense of belonging, increase in welfare packages for the corps, prompt payment of emoluments, allowances including the zero tolerance for corruption initiated by the new management. This, without doubt, has given the corps a pride of place in the paramilitary organizations in the country and has raised the ‘esprit-de-corps’ of the men and officers like never before seen. The robust welfare, motivated packages through massive promotions, conversion, upgrading and other benefits-in-kind are really commendable and not to mention the construction of official and residential buildings within and outside the NSCDC headquarters, including the procurement of operational and office equipment and the purchase of over 200 operation vehicles are also worthy of note.

    The arrest of students for acts unbecoming of them across institutions of learning in the country; arrest of practitioners of same sex marriages is a major milestone; the commendations given by governors of Zamfara, Gombe, Ogun, Jigawa and Katsina states recently are also worth mentioning; the reduction of the incessant herders’ and farmers’ clashes and cattle rustling; the deployment of undercover corps officers to schools;  the collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to reduce criminal activities across the country with the toga ‘See Something, Say Something;” the robust relationships of inter-agency corporations and partnerships with sister agencies such as the Navy, Army, Customs, Immigration, NNPC, and civil society organizations, is a major achievement that must be applauded; the consistent advocacies carried out by the CG to intimate and assure Nigerians to believe in the corps’ operations to engender faith in security agencies, are all worthy of note.

    The continued fight against cyber-crimes, child abuse and the flushing out of illegal guard private operators; the arrest of smugglers, vandals and pipeline/oil thieves in the Niger Delta region have become an Herculean task that must be achieved, according to the CG, saying that the Service “is presently doing all it can to curb the proliferation of small arms across the length and breadth of the country.” He also read the Riot Act to the Corps’ commandants in the Niger Delta states, assuring them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a zero-tolerance to civil theft. He asked them to do all they can to nib crimes in the bud in line with a presidential order to rid the nation’s oil sector of economic saboteurs, vandals, criminals, oil thieves and other nefarious activities inimical to the growth of the sector.

    CWAI can attest to the fact that the giant strides achieved so far by the current leadership are as a result of the strategic directions taken on the commissioning of the Standard Curriculum for NSCDC for entrenching career progression, effective supervision and transparent regulation of the Private Guard Companies in Nigeria which has reduced insecurity across the country. CWAI asserts that this is connected to a new reinvigorated legal department, successes in anti-vandalism, protection of farmers’ physical security at mining sites and the establishment of Special Female Squad (SFS) targeted at boosting the fight against insecurity and the location of the squad in all Commands across the country. This has also enhanced the safe school response coordination and the protection of schools in remote areas and border communities, which is done in collaboration with other security agencies of the Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) to foil attempts to attack schools. This is endorsed by all stakeholders.

    Similarly, the Commandant-General has continuously urged security agencies/operatives to shun inter-agency rivalry to foster national security. The CG gave this charge at a recent security seminar tagged “Promoting Inter-Agency Collaboration Among Security Agencies.” He noted that “the rivalry was capable of eroding relationships building over time between security agencies and consequently rubbed off negatively on the provision of adequate security.”

    CWAI also endorsed the amicable settlement of conflicts and dispute resolutions between herdsmen, farmers, cattle rustlers and villagers, community leaders and bandits – all championed by the current management of the NSCDC. The pressure group also applauded the vision, mission and the ability to implement its mandate as regards the settlement of disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolute (ADR) between warring parties.

    CWAI recognizes the importance of conflict and dispute resolution mechanism in today’s contemporary issues and conflict management, and commended the leadership for thinking out of the box and finding lasting solutions in today’s crises-prone society, where conflicts have become the order of the day with the support of the proactive Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo.

    CWAI emphasized a renewed vigour for the increment of national budget allocated to the NSCDC in view of the pivotal role it plays in the reduction of criminal elements in the protection of critical national assets and the reduction of kidnapping in our schools as a result of the school initiative, which if properly funded will give the NSCDC the impetus to do more for the nation and its workforce.

    We are encouraged to commend the public procurement and contract approvals, accountability in procurement process and payments. We also applaud the transformation, vision and forthrightness of the leadership in changing the narrative to make the Corps the cynosure of all eyes through discipline, promotion of officers when due and capacity building of officers and men, including building strategic alliances with various ivory towers across the land, to upgrade the service institutions to meet with what is attainable globally and build robust sister inter-agency collaborations.

    CWAI, therefore, has no hesitation in passing a vote of confidence on the Dr. Abubakar Audi-led management and calls on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to support the NSCDC management and allow them to concentrate on their mandate and continuously support the proactive leadership to enable it further its commitment and efforts to the general wellbeing of the nation.

  • NITDA: Driving a Safe, Inclusive Digital Environment for Nigeria, Africa

    NITDA: Driving a Safe, Inclusive Digital Environment for Nigeria, Africa

    To forge strategic partnerships and collaboration for the advancement of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda; accelerate collective prosperity through technical efficiency with the aim to stimulate the effective implementation of Nigeria’s renewed hope digital economy agenda; And Nigeria’s digital journey at the forefront of this unprecedented growth is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and one of its key strengths lies in its collaborative approach and partnerships with major industry stakeholders, technological hubs, educational institutions building a robust digital ecosystem through strategic partnerships.

    The Agency lead strategist and Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has reiterated the need for safe and inclusive online environment responsible for human and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its practices in the country.

    While playing host to TikTok lately, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority area of strengthening national security for peace and prosperity; the Director-General stated that content moderation strategies will help in addressing online problems like hate speech, misinformation and cyberbullying in relation to the protection of minors across the country.

    He stated that “With the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries in place, it will ensure digital safety in accordance with global best practices and content moderation to enhance safety.”

    A press release signed in Enugu by the Executive Secretary, Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, emphasizes that NITDA’s partnerships span across various sectors and this multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive strategy for digital literacy and innovation.

    Among the critical area of focus are training programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Coding, Cybersecurity, and basic digital literacy. These initiatives are not just about imparting knowledge, they are also about equipping Nigerians also with skills necessary to thrive in a digital economy.

    NITDA’s involvement in developing guidelines for AI and data protection, which are crucial as the world increasingly relies on data-driven decision making. These regulations not only protect users, but also provide a clear framework for companies to innovate confidently. The statement also captures the need that these targets and plans are needed to stimulate timelines and achieve targets crucial for Nigeria to develop a digital system that is efficient, modern economies that enhance business operations, smart public services and job creation for the teeming youths of the country.

    CWAI believes that NITDA is pushing and leveraging the narratives of Africa to the world where creators are being equipped with information that are centred on creating contents for products and services, and thus can be exported to other countries, attracting investments and also providing the opportunities where Nigerians can use AI, cybersecurity and online platforms to market, sell and export their services as well as talents to the outside world and also making a living from it.

    CWAI considers online safety as one critical area to secure the cyberspace by providing an avenue for users to thrive and be productive in their various activities as CWAI revealed that NITDA is one of its biggest and critical stakeholder in Nigeria that has an outstanding strides and performance in advancing the digital economy sector by partnering with both government and private sector leaders to develop sustainable, secure, safe and inclusive communities powered by ethical and innovative technology solutions.

    The Director-General of NITDA has reiterated and emphasized optimally that “What we want to do is to make sure that we leverage technology to bring the right level of economic opportunity to Nigeria that will contribute towards economic growth and job creation.”

    NITDA is birthing a new generation of highly skilled talented Nigerians as Tech hubs across the country are buzzing with activity, where participants are immersed in learning experiences that cover the latest advancement in technology, the educational institutions and the Federal Ministry of Education are critical to these endeavours to integrate these programmes into their curricular to produce graduates that are ready to meet the demands of the digital age.

    CWAI also reiterates that beyond the educational sector and training, NITDA’s role includes the co-creation of policies that create a conducive environment for tech startups and established companies alike by setting standards and regulations to ensure that innovation flourishes while maintaining the integrity and security of the digital infrastructure.

    The lead strategist of NITDA believes that “Nigeria is poised to surpass India in technological exploits, highlighting the nation’s potential to become a leading power house in the tech ecosystem.”

    He added that, “With our youthful population, growing innovation hubs and supportive government policies, Nigeria is on the brink of a tech revolution,” stressing that, “We have a potential to outpace countries like India if we leverage our resources effectively.”

    Accordingly, Nigeria boasts of a population of over 200 million, with more than 60 per cent under the age of 25. This demographic advantage presents a fertile ground for tech innovations. Young Nigerians are increasingly showing prowess in various domains from software development to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Fintech.

    CWAI agrees that Nigerian youths are not just consumers of technology but creators and innovators. As the D-G aptly captures it, “We are witnessing a surge in tech startups, many of which are developing solutions tailored to local challenges with global scalability.” He added that, “This burgeoning talent pool is evident in the success of Nigerian tech entrepreneurs and developers who are gaining recognition on the international stage.”

    As regards government’s support and policy framework, NITDA has been proactive in creating a conducive environment for tech growth. Initiatives such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and the Start-up Act aim at driving digital transformation and support to start-up ecosystem: “Government policies are increasingly geared towards reducing barriers for tech entrepreneurs; that government is focusing on improving digital infrastructure, providing fiscal incentives and enhancing digital literacy across the country.” He added that these efforts are designed to make Nigeria an attractive destination for tech investment and promotion.”

    CWAI states categorically that the future is bright and secure with NITDA’s pivotal role in the digital space, but the enormous challenges remain; issues such as unreliable power supply, Internet connectivity and regulations bottlenecks need to be addressed to fully realize and optimize the country’s tech potential. The Agency is committed to fostering an environment where innovation thrives, ultimately positioning Nigeria as a global tech leader.

    Nevertheless, the Director-General of NITDA, stated that “no organization or institution can operate in silos. We need each other for the actualization of our goals and objectives towards service delivery and an advancement of the country through Digital Literacy 4All, (DL4ALL), capacity building, knowledge sharing, trainings, curbing misinformation, digital safety with the aim of creating a safer cyber space and empowering online environment for the Nigerian users,” Drumming home that with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries in place, it allows for creative expression through filters, stickers and editing tools, entertainment and comedy are dominant themes and informational videos on various topics are gaining traction which has become a launch pad for influencers and trends that can go viral.

    Engr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi concluded the statement that with NITDA’s Strategic and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024-2027) that is structured around eight pillars which include: Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services, Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Nurturing and Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations and Cultivating a Vibrant Organizational Culture with an Agile Workforce.

    With the foregoing, the Director-General maintained that the “future is indeed in our hands and we need to work assiduously with our various partners to achieve our collective goals and mission.”

    Therefore, CWAI commends NITDA for its various initiatives, ideas, programmes and policies put in place and align with other industry stakeholders of NITDA’s giant strides and transformative role in providing opportunities where Nigerians use the various platforms available to market, engage, sell and export their products and services as well as talents to the outside world.

    CWAI endorses the performance indices of the management of NITDA for always being ahead of its peers and thinking outside the box, thereby making Nigerians globally competitive in the market place and driving the African dream as well as putting policies in place and a convivial environment for standardization and technological growth.

  • NITDA: Dev’t, Regulatory Agency that Encapsulates Other Sectors

    NITDA: Dev’t, Regulatory Agency that Encapsulates Other Sectors

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) established by the NITDA Act of 2007 to regulate standards, guidelines and frameworks for the development and standardization of Information Technology practices in Nigeria, is also clamouring for the actualization of the Bill at the National Assembly for the last five years (since 2021).

     

    The NITDA Bill, first proposed in 2021, seeks to repeal the National Information Technology Development Act No. 28 of 2007, and enact the National Information Technology Development Agency Act.

     

    The amendments in the proposal include provisions for new license categorizations, licensing fees, 1% profit-before-tax levies for companies with revenues higher than 100 million naira and prison sentences for defaulting parties.

     

    In 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) considered the Bill and moved a step further for its entry to the National Assembly. On December 23, 2022, at the National Assembly, a public hearing was held where stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem weighed in on the Bill.

     

    Since its announcement that year, the Bill has generated a healthy amount of controversy surrounding its purpose and compatibility with other technology-related Bills, most notably the recently proposed Startup Bill.

     

    Among the various submissions at the National Assembly are that Section 6(a) of the existing Act provides that NITDA is both a development and regulatory agency in the ICT sector.

     

    However, the argument that NITDA is not a regulator was therefore noted to be incorrect and a total of thirty-one (31) stakeholders made submissions and presentations on the Bill. But out of this number, seventeen (17) were in support of the Bill, while fourteen (14) were opposed to it.

     

    Those in favour based their support on the reason that the Bill provided for the development of the measures that would adequately regulate digital infrastructure, fast-track Nigeria’s transition into a leading digital economy, foster innovation and creativity, empower businesses in the country, improve the process of issuing and authenticating good character certificates and promote the use of technology in education and other sectors.

     

    The Committee recommended to the Senate that the Bill be passed after considering the comments and opinions of stakeholders therein. The Bill states that the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security which was referred to as “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Information Technology Development Agency Act No. 28, 2007 and Enact the National Information Technology Development Agency Act to provide the Administration, Implementation and Regulation of Information Technology Systems and Practices, as well as the Digital Economy in Nigeria and for Related Matters, 2023 (SB1082), having considered the same, report favourably thereon recommended that the Senate pass the Bill as amended,” as stated in the Committee’s report during the second reading.

     

    There was no time that the Bill was meant to usurp the powers of other regulators and make NITDA a super regulator in the ICT industry. A lot of stakeholders also said the Bill has the potential to reverse the gains delivered and made in the digital economy already. However, some stakeholders, on the other hand, agreed that the Bill has a lot of merit and that it would sanitize the industry and bridge the knowledge gap between Nigeria and other developed nations in digital economy.

     

    The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), a civil society organization that champions accountability, good governance and transparency in Nigeria, believes that the Bill, if passed into law, has the enormous positive impact to the telecommunication and ICT industry in Nigeria, as it will ultimately lead to increase in the confidence of both local and international investors in the telecom and ICT sector of the Nigerian economy, thereby transforming the development agency to a regulator which will enhance the activities of other sectors concerned like the banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, commerce education, agriculture, telecommunications, etc.

     

    The role of NITDA under the proposed Act, would have no direct conflicts with other regulators in the industry as being canvassed by naysayers. Accordingly, NITDA 2022 Bill will stabilize the regulatory environment in the telecom sector in Nigeria and attract the much needed foreign direct investments as well as domestic investments in the telecom and ICT sector in the country.

     

    In a press release signed by the Executive Secretary of CWAI, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, he asserted that from their investigation, the Bill seeks to enact an Act that will empower NITDA to provide for the administration, implementation and regulation of information technology systems and practice in Nigeria, which will automatically transform NITDA from a mere development agency to a regulatory agency in the sector that needs all the support, cooperation of Nigerians and stakeholders.

     

    As it is the first of its kind in the annals of history that will bridge the digital knowledge base of the country and impact the growth of the sector holistically in all spheres. The statement further added that the essence and purpose of the Bill is to create an effective, impartial and independent regulatory framework for the development of the Nigerian information technology sector and digital economy.

     

    Having been convinced about the proactive essence of the Bill, CWAI categorically states that the proposed NITDA Bill is focused on tax startups and in Part VI, Section 16, the Bill provides for the creation of the NITDA Fund, which will be used holistically for the “advancement of digital economy and related purposes,” and nothing more.

     

    CWAI also notes that the skills deficit in human capital that hinders the country from thriving in the global digital economy would be overcome once and for all, as well as this would raise global digital competence in the country in the future, thereby expanding the service sector.

     

    In view of this, CWAI enjoins the tech-ecosystem and techpreneurs to raise their voices and join the clarion call for all hands to be on deck for Nigeria to be able to achieve a large value chain that facilitates youth engagement, entrepreneurship development, the MSME development and women empowerment; which will provide and empower a rich, vibrant local industry of digital training providers with globally recognized standards attainable that can best compete anywhere. Therefore, recognizing and giving NITDA the required stakeholders’ support and engagement to drive this new initiative that will make the actualization of the Bill possible and acceptable to all.

     

    CWAI therefore recognizes that NITDA has consistently driven an information technology policy that is geared towards the enhancement of Nigeria’s global acceptability and certification in the digital economy, where the country’s local, foreign partners and stakeholders are carried along in an effective, efficient and affordable value chain for the growth of the ICT sector and the telecom industry, creating and empowering Nigeria’s digital potentials and creating jobs for millions of youths in the country and the economic diversification for emerging technologies.

     

    CWAI is holistically in support of NITDA’s drive, innovation and ideas in the formulation of digital policies that will put Nigeria on the global arena and market place of the future. CWAI therefore advocates for NITDA’s regulatory status so as to accelerate other growing sectors of the economy.

  • Wike: Abuja, a Construction Site

    Wike: Abuja, a Construction Site

    Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), a non-governmental, anti-corruption, civil society organization, after a diligent assessment, has commended and applauded the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Barr, Nyesom Wike for the overhaul of every nook and cranny of the capital city. This, the organization noted, can be seen through his sustenance of security of lives and property; religious dialogue and tolerance by inhabitants of Abuja; peaceful co-existence between settlers and original indigenes of Abuja; incredible road networks all over the territory; work-in-progress of road construction; all of which have gingered entrepreneurs by accelerating commercial activities and the development of the real estate sector like never before in the annals of history.

    In a press release by the Executive Secretary, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, and Director, Media, Comrade Gabriel Gwajime, in Abuja Monday, the duo applauded the Minister for “the delivery on timely basis of most of the development infrastructure, including social amenities like potable water, solar electrification across the territory, street lightening and enhanced performance and productivity unlike what we witnessed in the past.”

    The organization affirmed that the performing Minister, generally referred to as “Mr Projects,” when he held sway in Rivers State as Executive Governor, has taken governance to another level in the Federal Capital Territory, where he has become the cynosure of eyes of politicians alike, Abuja residents and Nigerians coming for business and going back to their base at the capital.

    CWAI also noted the improved security of the territory is paramount in the heart of the Minister, as he is busy making sure that the traditional institution is working in tandem with the grassroots and his administration, so as to feel the pulse of the people and nip in the bud the security challenges like never before, as he is planning to deploy drones by partnering with the Parliamentary Republic of Hungary around the 800 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as securing inhabitants of the territory.

    The organization further observed that, just recently, while he has upgraded the status of new chiefs for some chiefdoms namely, Karu, Kwali and Yaba within the Abuja metropolis and environs. Through Barr. Wike’s efforts, the issue of land speculators and grabbers in Abuja is becoming a thing of the past as the Minister has given marching orders for enforcement and working assiduously to restore back the Abuja Master Plan. As we write, we can authoritatively say that the Minister is, on weekly basis, visiting projects and sites to see first-hand and correct any anomaly and has given the people of Abuja date for the completion of most of the projects carried out.

    CWAI has witnessed the massive infrastructural development being executed in the territory and has passed a vote of confidence on the Wike-led administration for marching words with action. Barr. Wike has performed as a foremost Minister in the Tinubu administration like never before where every nook and crannies of the territory is undergoing construction and rehabilitation.

    The pace with which the work at various stages is going is unprecedented in the history of the capital city. This is backed up with the realization of democracy dividends and over all development and improvement of the well-being of the territory and Nigeria at large.

    The release further averred that the myriads of achievements thus so far achieved by the Minister was made possible by his zero tolerance for corruption, negligence, delivery below schedules and expectations.

    In view of this, CWAI stated that they are not surprised about what is happening at the capital city presently due to the torrents of infrastructural development and overhaul as the Minister is known as a workaholic and has a track record of achievements and milestones spanning over two decades of his public service life.

    The organization also observed that Barr. Wike has given marching orders to contractors to light Abuja or face the music as he has vowed that it is not going to be “business as usual.” This, they added, the Minister has expressed dismay over the poor maintenance of street lights in the territory through the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah.

    The organization quoted the AMMC Coordinator as saying the present situation is unimpressive, adding that the darkness experienced in the city is due to poor maintenance and requires urgent attention and has urged the contractors to scale up their services as this does not befit the FCT as a capital city. Therefore, he urged the contractors to reverse the trend forthwith.

    CWAI reliably gathered after diligent investigations that, some major roads will be completed, commissioned and considered as ongoing projects called “critical projects” across the Federal Capital Territory and expected for urgent delivery are already 98 per cent completed.

    These projects, CWAI was assured, will be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024. The projects include the construction of the Southern Parkway from the National Christian Centre to Ring Road 1, the development of the Outer Southern Expressway (SEX) from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1, Construction of the Vice President’s official residence within the Three Arms Zone.

    The organization found out that other projects are the completion of B6 and B12 Circular Road, N20 from Northern Parkway (Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressway) and a whole lot of others.

    Accordingly, this is a promise made and kept, because during the one year celebration coming up soon, the Abuja residents will have a lot of projects to be proud of and commissioned by the President. The Minister stated that “Mr President has given us all the support, so, we also have to make sure that all the support given by Mr President is not in vain and that’s why we are doing everything we can to complement his efforts in giving us what we require to do our job,” the Minister restated.

    A foremost philanthropist, humanitarian and development consultant, Dr Emmanuel Musa, Chairman of EMNAMU Foundation and a resident of Abuja, aptly captures the Minister’s milestones and achievements by pouring encomiums and applauded the selfless efforts of Barr. Wike of the Federal Capital Territory since the creation of the city with the passion, drive and personal sacrifices, who is making sure he puts smiles on residents of the FCT.

    The Minister is also doing everything possible to secure the lives of people and their property, including enhancing religious harmony between Christians and Muslims like never before seen. According to Dr Musa, “Minister Wike is a foremost minister and a performer of the Tinubu administration, who not only Abuja is proud of, but the entire country for his love for humanity and development.”

  • Adesina: $34.82bn investment interest for sustainable corridors devt, shared prosperity across Africa

    Adesina: $34.82bn investment interest for sustainable corridors devt, shared prosperity across Africa

    The attention of the Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), has been drawn to the Africa’s premier flagship news making event and formidable platform as a result of the remarkable milestones generated to the tune of 34.82 billion investment during the recently held Africa Investment Forum (AIF) market place in Marrakesh, Morocco from 8 to 10th November, 2023. The African renaissance platform of connectivity and corridors with its challenges of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inequality and inconsistencies of government policies including intra-African trade that has remained abysmally low at about 15% must be re-engineered for growth by the continent’s leaders, so as to meet with other developing nations. Indeed, African leaders has so much on their table to be delivered which has been championed by the AIF an arm of the AfDB to continuously guide, encourage and support the economic growth and paradigm shift in the continent.

    The Africa Investment Forum (AIF), which is an arm of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), recently held an annual investment forum entitled ‘Africa’s Investment Market Place in Marrakesh, Morocco,’ with a bankable $34.82 billion investment interest.

    The theme of the three-day event was, “Unlocking Africa’s Value Chains.” The event which was graced by His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, was a high-level, top-notch event and a very successful one. It was aimed at charting a new course for Africa’s new prosperity and connectivity.

    The auspicious African flagship platform and global brand was attended by Heads of State and Governments; Ministers from Africa; Captains of Industries and Corporate Africa, prominent among whom were His Excellency, Mr. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, and Chairperson of the African Union; Her Excellency, Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Her Excellency, Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Republic of Barbados; His Excellency, Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency, Mr. Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda; Her Excellency, Ms. Nadia Fettah Alaoni, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Honourable Ministers that included Professor Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-Import Bank; Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Mr. Alain Ebobisse, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa 50; Ms. Boitumelo Mosako, Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Southern Africa; Mr. Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank; Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank; Mr. Admassu Tadesse, President Emeritus and Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank; His Excellency, Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos State of Nigeria. Others in attendance were business leaders and investors from around the globe.

    Sub-themes discussed at the event included: Digital Disruptors and Transformative Technology, Renewable Energy and Natural Capital; Accelerating Green Growth, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure; Securing the Future, Capital Market; Mobilizing Investment for Transformational Growth, Africa’s Creative Industries: Strategies for Promoting Investment and Growth, and was a response to the Feed Africa Commitment of the AfDB and other Partners at Africa Investment Forum, which unveiled a platform known as the Alliance for Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones to mobilise equity funding for the continent’s agro-ecosystem.

    At the event, King Mohammed VI reiterated that Africa Investment Forum was the place where bankable projects in Africa meet with investors, where investors meet with Heads of State and Governments in investment boardrooms converge and give comfort to investment as a result of which risks are managed and deals closed.

    According to the Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, who was a participant, “The event has been considered by stakeholders as the most strategic and important in terms of conveying power and capacity to galvanise investment actions on the continent, and harness its resources. From what happened in Morocco, the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) is indeed, renowned to be Africa’s premier investment market place.”

    At this year’s event, His Excellency, Mr. Omar Kabbaj, Advisor to the King, representing His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, stated: “The AIF is unique, it is not just any forum; it is a transactional platform, where real business is conducted; where deals are made and where actions supersede rhetoric.”

    It was also revealed that since the launch of the Africa Investment Forum in 2018, AIF has drawn more than 16, 500 participants; generated investment interests of nearly $143 billion.

    A retrospective analysis was made at the 2022 AIF Market Days, wherein the Abidjan – Lagos highway corridor was able to secure $15.5 billion of investment interests: What makes the AIF unique and remarkable is that it is highly innovative and 100% transactional. Investors have discovered that there is no other global investment forum like it. “They develop and curate projects; reduce transaction costs and risks and accelerate the closure of deals. They also improve the overall business environment within which projects and investments are structured, developed and delivered, making investments to land in Africa smoothly.”

    Nevertheless, this corridor will transform the entire West Africa region and speed up regional integration and trade. Also, last year, other investment interests were secured for 3.6 billion dollars for the East Africa Railway corridor, linking Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi respectively. That the AIF has so far closed on deals, investment gaps with 11 billion dollars, ranging from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) renewable energy, agribusiness, industrial manufacturing, creative industry, housing and transport.

    According to global statistics, the Africa population will reach 2.5 billion by 2050; the continent will account for 25% of the global population. The New York Times recently affirmed in a headline what we know that the world is becoming more African. With a youth population of 477 million people between the ages of 15 and 25, Africa will be key for supplying the global labour force. Then, the size of the food and agriculture market in Africa will be worth one trillion dollars by 2030, in less than seven years from now.

    It was revealed at the event that the future of the $7 trillion electronic vehicle market is tied to Nigeria and other African countries. Also, the size of the electric vehicles value-chain is estimated to increase from the current $7 trillion, to 157 trillion dollars by 2050.

    According to the President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the future depends on Africa. That is because, as he asserted, Africa accounts for the largest source of the green metals for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70%), cobalt (52%), manganese (46%), bauxite (25%) and graphite (21%).

    An assessment by Bloomberg NEF shows that the cost of manufacturing of lithium-iron precursor batteries in Africa is three times less than in the United States, China and Poland, all together. The global electric vehicle market has experienced significant growth, which is driven by increasing environmental concerns and advancement in technology. China, the United States and Europe are the three biggest electric vehicle markets globally. China has incentives such as subsidies, tax breaks and license plate restrictions which has encouraged consumers to embrace electric mobility.

    President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, further said, “Five of the six pre-pandemic top performing African countries are projected to be back in the league of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies for 2023-2024. African economies provide some of the best investment opportunities in the world.”

    The Africa Continental Free Trade Area, when fully operational, offers incredible opportunities for boosting intra-regional trade across borders and regions as well as the emergence of a more competitive national, regional and globally connected value chain as envisaged in the Special Sessions on Regional Corridors: Quest to Integrate Africa. This, it was agreed, can only be achieved through the development of infrastructure.

    The AfDB and partners are implementing the 20 billion dollars Desert-to-Power Initiative to develop 10GW of solar power across 11 countries of the Sahel zone, when completed, will be the largest solar zone in the world. These countries are ; Nigeria, Burkina faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Eritrea and Senegal including the Sahel regional transmission lines to assume reliable and competitively priced electricity for development of the corridors. The AfDB also supports the development and expansion of regional power pools, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities.

    “That is the Africa we want: A Fully Interconnected Africa, using regional corridor infrastructure and innovative regional financing instruments, to unleash economic opportunities and assure competitiveness of national and regional value chains; a well-connected Africa will be a more competitive Africa,” as asserted by Dr. Adesina, the president of AfDB.

    The Lagos – Abidjan highway connects Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, secured investment interest of 15.2 billion dollars at the AIF last year, from multiple financiers and investors.

    According to His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, his country has been championing for an Inter-African coordinated and cooperation mechanism to be enhanced in various fields of endeavours with a view to achieving regional economic integration and hub; that is why the Morocco – Nigeria Gas pipeline project is part of that endeavour closest to his heart.

    He said this reflects his resolve to lay the groundwork for genuine regional cooperation. The project, he further stated, will enhance all countries along the pipeline route to have access to reliable energy supplies and to be more resilient to exogenous energy price shocks.

    The African Development Bank has pledged 500 million dollars to develop the strategic Lobito corridor, connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to interlink countries and boost trade. The AfDB president has highlighted five priority areas to fully optimize the benefits of the developing regional corridors across Africa. These include: dedicating pooled financing facilities to corridor projects; building special industrial zones around the corridors to optimize existing infrastructure; adopting a systematic approach; and platform to syndicate around the development of strategic regional corridors.

    The Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones to mobilise equity funding for the continent’s eco-system, a new initiative by the AfDB following the success of the Feed Africa Summit (FAS), which AfDB in partnership with the Senegalese government and Africa Union, held in January in Dakar, was attended by 34 Heads of State and Governments, according to the AfDB boss. He also informed that the summit had successfully mobilised 72 billion dollars towards implementing food and agriculture delivery compacts.

    The Initiative, according to Dr Adesina, is aimed at mobilizing at least 2 billion dollars in financing and investment commitments from Alliance members and partners over the next five years. However, meeting the financing goal will deliver an additional 15 to 20 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) projects in various countries across the continent.

    The AfDB President emphasized that the Alliance will also raise funds through various investment windows for project preparation, project development and construction and financing for tenant companies. By doing so, the Alliance will bridge critical financing gaps, complement existing initiatives and mobilise resources towards the common goal of enhancing agricultural value addition in Africa. The platform will also provide project preparation, finance, equity and debt investments, technical assistance, as well as project tracking and oversight. It will further help with improving administrative policy and investment incentives never envisaged previously.

    The Presidential Panel was attended by five Heads of State and Governments. There was robust engagement in challenges facing the continent. President Julius Maado Bio of Sierra Leone called for aggressive diversification of economies and attributed the desperation of youths to leave the continent to the low knowledge index of the economy.

    According to him, hundreds of African youths who die in the Atlantic Ocean while crossing to Europe are searching for jobs exported by African countries, owing to failure to add value to their communities. The President of Sierra Leone said value addition is a necessary option for growing resilient national economies across Africa and noted that the continent needs to move from merely talking to action.

    For the Tanzanian President, Suluhu Hassan, there are a lot of obstacles to trade and investment in the continent. He urged his colleagues to work towards removing the obstacles to make the continent a destination of global investment and pride. On his part, the Rwandan Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, noted that time is ticking fast and the government could not afford to continue lamenting missed opportunities and chances, but rather move quickly and build the economy that their citizens deserve.

    Consequently, the King of Morocco noted, “That is why initiatives such as the African Investment Forum (AIF), which is sponsored by the AfDB, are commendable, because they help direct private investment towards the most promising economic sectors, thus reinforcing the integration of Africa’s economies into global value chains.”

    All the high network corporate Africans, Heads of Governments, Ministers from across Africa, agreed that the economic potential of Africa is growing rapidly and of immense importance and promise of opportunities with incredible richness in vast natural and human capital resources in technology, agriculture, and entrainment. Africa is home to a youthful and dynamic workforce with a demography that cut across the youth population and abundant natural resources that will change the landscape in a few years ahead and that indeed, President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, is a global brand; chief optimist of Africa and a great and foremost marketing chief executive of Africa who has used the AfDB platform to change the narrative of Africa; deconstruct conversation favourable to Africa and shape opinions that, indeed, Africa is bankable and the risks are minimal, unlike what most books are saying as he re-echoed time again that “the future is indeed Africa and the time is now for investments and investors to see the continent as the new marketplace of ideas and unlocking the continent’s value chain.” He reiterated that, “Invest in Africa and reap high-risk adjusted returns!”

    Senior Director of Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Chinelo Anohu also echoed that, “Africa must trust Africans with their ideas, innovations and strategy for the future.” The event was co-sponsored by the Africa Export-Import Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Africa 50, and Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, with an estimated $34.82 billion investment interest.

    CWAI’s executive secretary emphasized that the Heads of State and Government, as well as all participants at the event, overwhelmingly agreed that, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, was “indeed spreading shared prosperity across Africa with this innovative and bankable financial platform for building infrastructure corridors.”

  • PenCom and Civil Societies, A Partnership that works

    PenCom and Civil Societies, A Partnership that works

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom), under the able leadership of Hajia Aisha Dahir Umar, has changed the narrative and the paradigm shift on what she met on ground a few years ago. She has moved the goal post to suit retirees, stakeholders within the industry as well as the watchdog “conscience of the people” and agenda setters of the society, the civil societies that include: CSOs and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) respectively.

    For the past two years now, the Commission has engaged the civil societies in building capacities in relation to the pension industry and how to report on issues in regards to the various terminologies, functions. These include publications on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about pension matters within the society. The first of its kind in the annals, a good initiative by the Aisha-led leadership of PenCom to break the barrier and bring the issues of the Contributory Pension Scheme to the grassroots like never before.

    By September 30, 2021, at the Rockview Hotel (Classic) in Abuja, the PenCom organized its first Sensitization Conference for the Civil Society groups with the theme, “Maximizing the Benefits of the Contributory Pension Scheme.” The event commenced with the registration of participants from the civil societies from all background with focus on different sectors converging at the auspicious capacity building programme.

    The keynote address was delivered by the Director-General of PenCom, who stated that the conference provided a great opportunity for the commission to interact and forge better relationships with relevant civil society groups. She emphasized that the role of the civil society groups as advocates and champions for civil rights, social responsibility and good governance, is undeniable.

    Hajia Aisha further stated that the aim of the epoch event was to sensitize the invited civil society groups about the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and other laudable transformational initiatives by the commission and hoped that PenCom’s expectation that the information received at the conference would be disseminated to all and in addition to creating awareness and deepening the understanding of members of the civil society groups on the CPS. She said the conference should elicit the participation of the civil society groups in the CPS under the Micro Pension Plan arrangement.

    The Director-General said the commission was not unmindful of the critical role of CSOs as a bridge between government agencies and the public, and as such, would apprise participants with some recent developments in the pension industry. It stated that most worthy of mention was the recent payment of some outstanding accrued pension liabilities of the Federal Government under the CPS.

    As revealed by PenCom, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the payment of outstanding accrued pension rights for verified and enrolled Retirees of Treasury-Funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that were yet to be paid their retirement benefits as well as the backlog of death benefit claims due to beneficiaries of deceased employees of treasury funded MDAs.

    Hajia Aisha said the president also approved the payment of 2.5 per cent differential in the rate of employer pension contribution for FGN retirees and employees, which resulted from the increase in the Minimum Pension Contribution for employers from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent, in line with Section 4(1) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014.

    During the Corona Virus (COVID-19) era which showed its face in Nigeria in February 2020, PenCom, as a foremost regulatory apex body of the industry, address the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, to the annual verification and enrolment exercise for retirees, the commission designed and developed an online enrolment application, which has capabilities to register, verify and enroll prospective retirees of treasury-funded federal MDAs.

    Accordingly, by the deployment of this new application, mass gathering of people had been avoided, while enhancing convenience for the prospective retirees through a seamless enrolment process ever envisaged. The supervision and regulation of the industry and the implementation of the CPS remains on course.

    The number of registered contributors under the CPS has grown to 9.41 million, while pension fund assets have accumulated to over N13 trillion as at July 31, 2021. The maintenance of a consistent growth trajectory continues to justify the commission’s overriding investment philosophy of ensuring the safety of Pension Fund assets.

    The conference papers that were delivered on September 30, 2021, in Abuja, include the following: “Overview of the Contributory Pension Scheme” – The paper provided a synopsis of the CPS, its objectives, achievements and challenges. The second presentation was entitled: “Recent Developments in the Pension Industry,” and the third was: “The Micro Pension Plan (MPP): A Panacea for Secured Old Age in the Informal Sector,” which provided a detailed information on the benefits and features of the Micro Pension Plan.

    Consequently, the 2022 Sensitization Conference for Civil Society Groups organized by the commission took place on November 24, with the theme: “Enhancing Informal Sector Participation in the Contributory Pension Scheme: The Roles of Civil Society Groups,” was apt and appropriate, especially in the time we found ourselves.

    The conference provided a great opportunity for the commission to enlighten and interact with civil society groups in order to elicit better understanding of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and the commission’s activities in general, as regards its mandate, enforcement and regulations of the industry.

    As the second in the series by the commission, it has become imperative due to the critical roles played by the civil societies as agenda setters and the bridge between government agencies and the publicity, thus, the need to constantly interact and inform the “conscience of the nation” of the recent developments in the pension industry and some of the laudable transformational initiatives by the commission hence the conference.

    It laid emphasis on the Micro Pension Plan (MPP), which was conceptualized to expand pension coverage to the informal sector, including small scale business operators, entertainers, professionals, petty traders, entrepreneurs and mechanics and also reiterated that members of the civil society groups were also welcome to participate in the MPP and same applies to their old age. The MPP, as we are all aware, aimed at curbing old age poverty by assisting the people to contribute, while working and build long-term savings to fall back on when they are no longer in active working life.

    Given the peculiarities of the target participants, the commission is facilitating efforts by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to provide incentives for the Micro Pension Plan (MPP). One of such key incentives that is being worked upon is the provision of health insurance to the Micro Pension contributors.

    This recognizes the need for the MPP to provide more access to health-care services, which is often lacking in critical times of need.

    The strategic efforts at driving the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) remains one of the important areas of focus of the commission. Therefore, it is the commission’s expectation that the learning points from this conference, would be disseminated to the target audience and the larger society by the civil society groups. In addition, to create awareness and deepen the understanding of members of the civil society groups, the conference should also elicit their participation in the MPP.

    During the conference, the civil society groups knew more about the recent accomplishments, preferences, chronicles and achievements of the commission as at date which includes, issuance of the Guidelines on Accessing 25 per cent of RSA balance towards payment of Equity Contribution for Residential Mortgages by RSA holders.

    This innovative development provides equity finance for RSA holders, facilitates their ownership of residential homes during their working life, and ultimately improves their living standards. Furthermore, the Guideline effectively implements the provisions of Section 89(2) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, which aligns with one of the commission’s core value of responsiveness.

    The commission also concluded the increase of the Minimum Regulatory Capital (shareholder’s fund), a major requirement of PFAs from N1 billion to N5 billion. The recapitalization exercise, a laudable innovation applauded by all, which spanned a 12-month period, was concluded on April 27, 2022.

    At the deadline, all PFAs had complied with the commission’s directive to increase the Minimum Regulatory Capital (shareholder’s fund) from N1 billion to N5 billion. The recapitalization exercise was to ramp up the capacity of the PFAs to manage the increasing number of registered contributors and pension fund assets, the value of which stands at above N15 trillion as at September 2022.

    The exercise, agreeable, is expected to bring about increased effectiveness and efficiency as well as improved service delivery in the pension industry and increase the economy of the country.

    However, further to its regulatory and supervisory functions, the commission, under the able leadership of Hajia Aisha Dahir-Umar, has continued to issue new guidelines, frameworks and regulations while strengthening existing ones to make for the smooth implementation of the CPS and the welfare of active employees and pensioners under the scheme.

    It is of note that the commission issued the Revised Regulation on the Administration of Retirement and Terminal Benefits to ensure that pensioners receive their benefits promptly.

    So much for the key highlights of the Revised Regulation include clarification and simplification of documentation processes, the RSA consolidation before payments of retirement benefits, accrued pension benefits for private sector contributors, and additional lump sum payments. The Revised Regulation also contains several new provisions on payment enhancement voluntary contributions, payments under the MPP, payment of benefits of missing persons and payment of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) benefits.

    In furtherance also, it introduced administrative sanctions on PFAs who disregard the provision of the Regulation. The sanctions are to ensure that PFAs promptly process the payment of retirement benefits to retirees.

    The 2022 auspicious meeting with Civil Society Groups, CSGs, also witnessed the delivery of papers with various themes relevant to the issue at stake. The first paper entitled, “The Micro Pension Plan: Panacea for Old Age Poverty in the Informal Sector.” This paper provided a synopsis of the MPP, and its objectives. The second presentation, entitled: “How Micro Pension Funds are Invested for the Benefit of the Contributors,” and the third: “The Administration of the Retirement Benefits Under MPP.” These papers delved on the very nature of the Micro Pension Plan, its benefits and who are to access and the various guidelines and methods of using the plan to its maximum benefits.

    Nevertheless, the goodwill messages that followed last year’s event were heart-warming, and a pass of vote of confidence on the present leadership of PenCom for a job well done and the transparent philosophy entrenched by the apex regulatory body since the incumbent board came to the saddle.

    Comrade Gabriel Gwajime of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) said: “We want to appreciate management for the transformational initiative of the commission for the rebranding and repositioning of the pension industry like never before in its annals, in terms of its regulatory functions, transparency, accountability and good governance practice.”

    On his part, Comrade Ajaero Yusufu stated that this event was very laudable and unique and appealed to corporate Nigeria to learn from the PenCom model. He praised the new narrative, the second in the series of PenCom’s innovation of sensitizing, building the capacity of the civil societies in order to reach out to the various publics, the essence of the informal sector and said: “We pray that other organizations should follow their footsteps.”

    This writer, on behalf of the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ) stated that, on behalf of the civil society movement in Nigeria, he emphasized and admonished all civil society comrades to “stop forthwith, any fireworks, blackmail tool, pull him down (PHD) syndrome in the offing against PenCom” and asked everyone to put hands on the deck and support PenCom to work for the betterment of the organization and society. As we all know, no other organization is doing what PenCom is doing. We therefore, will work assiduously with PenCom to achieve its mandate for the well-being of the retirees and employees.

    A few other NGOs also gave their goodwill messages and the event was brought to an end by prayers from both Christian and Muslim participants as they looked forward to other years’ programmes and wished the management of PenCom the very best its endeavours.

    On the whole, it was a very robust engagement between the commission and civil society groups (CSGs) that will leverage the relationship between both parties; drive, forge, interact and better the relationship between all parties involved.

    This is as the awareness created and the idea behind the innovation will lead to consistent growth in pension assets with this partnership and collaboration in a long-term strategic initiative.