Pantami Bags Dubai World Trade Centre Award

Recognising the role, the Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is playing globally to foster a digital economy, which has been commended by world leaders such as President Muhammadu Buhari, the outgoing Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhao, Executive Chairman, ID4Africa, Mr. Joseph Atick, among others.

The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organizers of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition Conference (GITEX), and the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) added another feather to the cap of Minister Pantami today.

The DWTC officially presented a LEADERSHIP AWARD to Prof Pantami in recognition of the role Pantami is playing in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.

It is on record that under the supervisory leadership of Pantami, the ICT sector attained the position of the fastest growing sector of Nigeria’s economy according to the report provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The sector pulled Nigeria out of the COVID-19-induced recession.

In the same vein, within the stewardship of Pantami, Nigeria witnessed an unprecedented rapid increase in broadband penetration, a rapid increase in digital identity, and a rapid decrease in the cost of mobile data.

It is no surprise that the ITU found it worthy of appointing the Nigerian Minister as the chairman of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022. Mr. Haolin Zhao went further to call on other African leaders to emulate Pantami in prioritizing commitment to their official duties.

Similarly, in the same feat, President Buhari singled out Minister Pantami’s innovative, doggedness, and resolute approach to duty. ” I commend the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), for the landmark achievements of the digital economy sector and his commitment to carrying out his responsibility of developing the sector, including championing the growth of the indigenous telecom sector and NIN-SIM registration process. I also commend the industry stakeholders for their support for the sector.”

Under the leadership of Pantami, 19 National policies have been formulated and are currently being implemented. This is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. The developmental regulation approach of Pantami has provided the enabling environment that supports rather than stifles development. Nigeria becoming the first country in Africa and one of the first in the world to introduce a digital currency to her citizens is a testament to that.

The digital economy sector in Nigeria under the supervision of Prof Pantami is playing an important role in improving security, fighting corruption, and developing the Nation’s economy. Unregistered or improperly registered SIM cards have been deactivated, IT projects are being cleared to ensure interoperability and transparency in governance in line with digital Nigeria policy and strategy.