The leadership of Cisco Africa Team today, Tuesday 13th July 2021, expressed the organisation’s willingness to partner with the country’s Digital Economy sector in order to further drive the vision of the Federal Government in the digitalisation process. This gesture is as a result of the giant strides recorded by the sector under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Speaking at a virtual meeting initiated by Cisco, the Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia, Ms Pastora Valero, while commending Dr Pantami on what she described as his unprecedented legacies in the Nigerian Economy in establishing a burgeoning digital sector that has caught global attention, urged the Minister to consider avenues of partnerships and collaborations with Cisco. “We have keenly followed your progress and would very much like to be a part of your vision in driving the sector and are open to partnerships in that regard.”
In her remarks, the Senior Director Policy and Governmental Affairs, Africa, Charmaine Houvet said “Pantami’s policies were in line with global trends and the potential for development in Nigeria cannot be ignored. The leadership that the Honourable Minister has brought to bear in the sector is highly commendable and Cisco is willing to be a part of this journey.”
In his response, Dr Pantami remarked that “we are championing a paradigm shift in the country leveraging on technology to give preference and priority to proven skills over paper qualifications. Particularly, digital skills”. He drew the team’s attention to the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) Document particularly, pillars two and seven, centred around digital literacy and skills and digital societies and emerging technologies, with the objective of capacity building through digital skills acquisition.
Pantami identified the need for partnership in the areas of training and urged Cisco to “establish training academies across Nigeria, especially in underserved areas in order to empower citizens with the requisite skills required to maintain global relevance”.
The Honourable Minister in response to Cisco’s prayers, immediately set up a technical team to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding in that regard.
By Uwa Suleiman
