Makurdi, Benue State, recently hosted the 12th Technical/Official Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), where Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), played a key role.
Themed “Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy & Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, the meeting provided a platform for aligning Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with strategies for AI adoption through policy and innovation to foster sustainable development across the country.
Discussions during the council meeting included a review of memos from various MDAs, including those from the NDPC. These deliberations identified opportunity gaps, proposed frameworks for development, and explored revenue-generation strategies through Public-Private Partnerships. Special focus was given to enhancing training and awareness within the data protection ecosystem to support emerging AI initiatives.
In his keynote address, the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, expressed the State’s readiness to embrace digital transformation and emphasized the importance of technology-driven development. Representing the Honorable Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Farouk Yusuf Yabo.
Other notable attendees included CEOs of NIGCOMSAT, Galaxy Backbone, and NIPOST, alongside policymakers and stakeholders from across Nigeria’s digital and communications landscape.
The council’s recommendations and observations underscore the importance of adopting cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in driving Nigeria’s sustainable development and data protection efforts.
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