The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed it is making plans to establish a National Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and has assured all stakeholders of the country’s cyberspace safety.
This was made known by Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy at the Digital Economic Complex, Mbora, Abuja while marking the maiden Digital Nigeria Day.
Pantami said that the AI Centre would enable Nigerian youths to carry out some crucial steps in the ICT sector.
The Minister also talked about the safety of Nigeria’s cyberspace on the backdrop of the rumored breach into the websites of some known institutions during the #EndSARS protests.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government was one step ahead of the hackers’ activities.
Pantami said he has briefed the President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari about establishing the AI Centre.
The event which had the theme: Digital Economy: A New Frontier for Economic Prosperity, saw the attendance of CEOs of agencies from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The Minister commended President Buhari for laying the foundation of a digital Nigeria due following the launch of the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) document.
“The National Policy on Digital Innovation would also come on stream in December. The policy will aid industrialisation and entrepreneurship in the country.
All things being equal, if we keep the pace we are going with, we shall reach 90 per cent in the next five years,”
According to Pantami, some agencies in partnership with the National Security Adviser (ONSA) office, were upgrading Nigeria’s cyberspace for optimal safety.
“We recently provided online learning platforms to enable Nigerians to receive training in diverse digital skills. Such platforms include the DigitalNigeria.gov.ng and NITDA Academy for Research and Training.
“Over 114,000 Nigerians have enrolled on these platforms, including about 67,000 enrolees since we officially launched the Digital Nigeria portal on September 28, 2020.” Added the Minister
Featured Image: nigerianembassy.co.il
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