Communique of the NITDA Southwest Stakeholders’ Engagement Programme

1.0 PREAMBLES

In collaboration with the Osun State Government, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) organised the 2024 edition of IT Stakeholders’ Engagement and Ecosystem Development Meeting on the 8th of October 2024 at the Adolak Hotel Osogbo.

The conference provides a platform to brainstorm on contemporary issues in ICT and how ICT can be leveraged for sustainable state and national development. The one-day meeting with the theme “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Towards Digitalisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution” was dedicated to the Startup and Innovation Ecosystem. Discussions focused on sub-themes such as adopting digital transformation, data protection and national security, emerging technologies, digital inclusion, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

It had a total attendance of 87 (eighty-seven) including state leaders, ICT experts, the public and private sector, CEOs, professional bodies, solution providers, academia, non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other relevant stakeholders in the digital economy sector in Osun State.

The meeting consisted of two (2) plenary and interactive sessions. It featured presentations, discussions, questions, and responses.

2.0 OBSERVATIONS:

The following observations were made from the meeting:

1. Osun State Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology, and Digital Economy has an internal structure that covers every sphere of the IT sector, enabling proper and timely advisory to the state government.
2. The Osun State Government, in partnership with NITDA, needs to develop policies and frameworks that support the growth of the ICT ecosystems, encourage investment and IT literacy, and protect consumers in the state against risks such as data breaches and cybercrime.
3. There is a need to strengthen the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders at the state level to have a single handshake with the federal bodies and ensure that substantial funding, mentorship, and incubation programmes are attracted to unlock innovation and support startups from idea to market.
4. Enhanced accessibility, digital literacy, and capacity building are required to equip the youths with the digital skills necessary to compete and thrive in the global economy.
5. There is a need for a local preference policy for the patronage of products and services from local startups and to regulate online activities in line with our culture.
6. There is a need to bridge the digital gap between the government and the public through improved awareness, especially in grassroots communities.
7. There is a need for government policy that will facilitate improved digital infrastructure, expand the broadband networks, and provide access to fast, affordable internet services across the state.

3.0 VIEWS & OPINIONS:

The aggregated views from the meeting also noted the following as advantageous to Osun State and Nigeria’s digital economy:

1. The citizenry is aware of the State and Federal Government’s efforts towards providing essential digital transformation building blocks such as infrastructure, policies, regulatory frameworks, digital skills, etc.
2. The Nigerian startup ecosystem is relatively thriving, positioned as a leading player in Africa. The country is ranked 61st in the global tech ecosystem; Osun State needs to fast-track the adoption and implementation of the National Startup Act.
3. Developmental regulations are indispensable to the proper functioning of economies and the country at large which are pertinent in promoting innovations and protecting consumers.  As such, the current policies and regulations should be periodically reviewed to ensure government interventions are at par with innovation requirements;
4. The success made with the Nigeria Startup Act should be sustained, and its programmes should be implemented properly to benefit startups at sub-nationals.
5. NITDA should utilise its collaboration with sister agencies like NCC, Galaxy Backbone, and other providers to create Internet Exchange Point (IXP), which will help improve efficiency and reduce cost of service.
6. Multi-stakeholder approach and working collaboratively across sectors are required to achieve inclusive growth in the digital economy.
7. Closing of the digital divide by deliberate measures in the unserved and underserved areas to prevent rural-urban migration and ensure inclusivity.
8. Economic and human capital development should be a priority for the government and citizens should be equipped with the skills required to take advantage of the digital economy.
9. All formal post-secondary education, including public and private universities, colleges, technical training institutes, and vocational schools, should be adequately equipped with digital   infrastructure to parade sound talents that meet the local and global requirements;
10. Startups should strive to attain the status of Startup by studying and complying with the provision of the act. Consider the non-diluting type of funding and ensure they have solutions that address challenges and create value for society.
11. Increase in public and private partnerships opportunities to scale and bolster existing startups for domestic and international markets

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS:

The stakeholders recommended that:
NITDA should work on ensuring that:

1. NITDA collaborates with the Osun State Government in the review and enhancement of the state’s IT policy to drive IT development.
2. The Federal government raises public awareness of its interventions at the subnational level (state level & LGs).
3. Stakeholders’ engagements are adopted and used to develop the interoperability framework to drive the interconnection of government agencies across the three tiers of government.
4. Leveraging the current relationship with the Osun State ecosystem to institute an enduring platform for future engagements.

Osun State Government commits to collaborate on ensuring:

• the IT Policy document of the State is duly reviewed and enhanced in line with emerging technologies and ensures its implementation.
• The creation of the State’s IT Technical Working Group TWG consisting of representatives of the State government, Private Sector, Professional bodies, and Academia to facilitate continued engagement with NITDA.
• Provide sustainability and effective utilisation for NITDA’s Intervention Projects in the State when locations of such projects are supplied.

5.0 CONCLUSION AND APPRECIATION

With the huge success achieved in the 2024 edition of Stakeholder Engagement and Ecosystem Development Programme in Osun State, the   NITDA management and entire staff wish to express their profound gratitude to the dignitaries, guests, professional bodies, ICT industry stakeholders, and participants.

NITDA, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the State, will work to ensure the implementation of the recommendations for a better IT Ecosystem in Osun State and Nigeria.