The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has outlined Nigeria’s tech-focused agenda for the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
In a document shared on his X handle on Sunday and titled “Driving Nigeria’s Economic Growth through Global Partnerships in Innovation and Technology,” he emphasised three core areas of partnership-seeking: the Universal Service Provision Fund, AI Training, and Economic Diversification through Technology.
The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, themed “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all” will feature the High-Level General Debate from September 19 to September 23, 2023, in New York.
He underscored the significance of Nigeria’s presence at UNGA 78, positioning the country at the intersection of technological innovation and sustainable development. He stated that this year’s UNGA offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to align its strategies and aspirations with the global community.
The minister maintained that collaboration with global leaders and stakeholders is crucial to realising Nigeria’s vision of a digital and inclusive future.
He said, “Expanding the Universal Service Provision Fund: Connectivity is a catalyst for progress. As we work towards bridging the digital divide, we seek partnerships that can boost the USPF. Our goal is to connect a vast number of unserved and underserved communities in Nigeria, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that every Nigerian benefits from the digital revolution.
“Positioning Nigeria as a Hub for AI Training: Nigeria brims with a vibrant pool of talent, potential and innovation. We aspire to put Nigeria on the global map as a premier destination for AI model training. Not only does this promise significant job creation, but it also emphasises our commitment to enhancing the inclusivity and robustness of AI datasets. We envision capturing the nuances of dark data from the global south, ensuring that AI solutions resonate with a diverse spectrum of lived experiences.
“Accelerating Economic Diversification through Technology: The agenda set forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, champions economic diversification powered by technological applications. Our mission at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is clear – catalyse the productivity of critical sectors using technology. To this end, we are in pursuit of partnerships that can increase capital inflow to Nigerian startups via Foreign Direct Investments, bolstering our entrepreneurial ecosystem and setting the stage for sustainable growth.”
