FG to partner Independent Digital for technological advancement
By Ogaga Ariemu
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami said Federal Government will partner a Russian Software Development Company, Independent Digital for technological advancements in the country.
The Minister who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Bitrus Nabasu stated this in Abuja when he received a delegation of a Russian software company.
The minister noted that a lot has been done in the drive for digital economy in the country but, more needs to be done to attain the global ranking in technological know how.
He stated that there is an existing MoU with the Russian government on different areas of collaborations but more partners are need.
“Although, we have done much, but, we still need more partners like you. We will be happy if we can interface so that Nigeria cannot just diversify but also become stronger in digital economy.”
Speaking earlier, head of the Russian team and president of Independence Digital Pavel Maximenko stated that, the company was in Nigeria to find what her unique needs are in areas of technology, software and digitalization.
According to the president, only this consultation would afford his organisation the opportunity to proffer tailor made solutions to Nigeria problems.
“We are here to understand what you need and how we can help you. Nigeria is the biggest in Africa just like Russia is the biggest in Europe, so we want to help solve the problem of Communications,” he said.
Representatives of the Ministry, Departments and Agencies mentioned possible areas of collaboration to include software and hardware capacity building to improve the local content.
On his part, Director Special Duties National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) revealed that the Commission is operating on “obsolete enrolment paraphernalia. We need high definition computers that can make enrolment faster because of the volume of enrolments.”
The Russian company delegation included the Nigeria technical partner managing director Tellurium Technologies Limited Francis Odukuye and managing director Independence Digital Nikita Kormzun.
