The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has directed agencies under the ministry to make available research grants for Nigerian startups for the development of digital solutions.
Pantami made the remarks during the virtual final demo and prize giving day of the Nigeria COVID-19 Innovation Challenge organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
He said this has become necessary considering the likely impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s economy in the post COVID 19 era.
He stressed the pandemic has provided an opportunity for young innovators to place Nigeria on the path to digital economic development.
Pantami said ICT innovation was a perfect tool to ensure physical distancing and contact tracing of COVID 19 patients, stating the present administration was determined to leverage digital platforms and opportunities for the betterment of the economy in the post COVID era.
The concern agencies include the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Communications Satellite Systems, Galaxy Backbone and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
“With COVID19, there is a need to fast-track the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, adding that “ICT will play a great role in supporting contact tracing and physical distancing in the war against the virus”, the minister disclosed.