Nigeria committed to climate change, cyber-security, says SGF

The Federal Government yesterday declared that it places global issues such as climate change, digital divide, cyber-insecurity and emergency telecommunications at high level of priority in its change agenda, strategies and work programmes.

Secretary to Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal stated this yesterday at Innovation Africa Digital Summit 2016 (IAD) in Abuja.
He observed that in this era of e-government and digital inclusion, the present administration is working towards a more connected government and a digital Nigerian society

Lawal noted that with the dwindling revenue from the oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has realized more than ever before that telecoms and the ICT sectors are amongst the main drivers for the social and economic development of Nigeria and play a vital role in enhancing access to basic services in all sectors of our national life.

He observed that with a significant percentage of the Nigeria’s population having access to mobile cellular services, the increasing and sustained growth in Internet usage and broadband deployment, the government through the Ministry of Communications and its various SMART initiatives are focused on leveraging on ICTs to create an inclusive economy.

The SGF pointed out that the global quest for ICT for development is enormous to both developed and developing countries because ICT skills are critical to the success of enhancing national development in a globalised era.

“In this regard, governments are focused on creating opportunities for citizenship participation in ICT training, knowledge and skills acquisition, and general application and usage of ICT tools to solve problems, promote their wellbeing and enhance national growth.

He said, “I am aware that Galaxy Backbone Ltd, established in 2006 as a Government owned company and charged to deliver connectivity and other Information and Communication Technology infrastructure to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government currently has up to 350MDAs connected to its 1-GOV.Net in over 4000 office locations nationwide making it the largest single network ever developed in the public sector in Africa.