In a bid to successfully secure a Digital Nigeria, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in collaboration with other parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy have implemented fifteen (15) new projects commissioned by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami during the Batch 11 and 12 virtual commissioning ceremony on August 13th and 19th, 2021 respectively.
The event kicked-off with a welcome address by the Chairman of the Project Commissioning Committee and Secretary USPF, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu who championed four of the projects on the agenda. He described the event as a cause to celebrate as the Honourable Minister gives leadership and direction while consistently bringing new ideas and innovations in the Ministry. He stated that Pantami is the chief promoter of digital entrepreneurship culture in Nigeria.
The commissioned projects include the USPF’s Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre (TIKC), in Gombe State College of Education, Gombe State; School Knowledge Centre (SKC), Sanda Kyarimi Day Secondary School, Maiduguri, Borno State; E-Accessibility Centre, Alderstown Schools for the Deaf, Warri, Delta State; E-Accessibility Centre Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s School, Bauchi State. Others are two Emergency Communication Centres; one Virtual Examination Centre; one E-Health / Data Sharing Project and seven Digital Economy Center & E-Learning Facilities all executed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), respectively.
The implementation of these projects by the various parastatals demonstrates the Ministry’s continued confidence in a Digital Nigeria, while also pushing for e-education in the most critical areas.
Speaking during the Commissioning, Pantami credited and commended all stakeholders, particularly board members and other staff of the Ministry and all parastatals for the success of the project. He also highlighted how the Ministry formulated up to sixteen national policies in less than the two groundbreaking years with a minimum of at least one project benefited in each geopolitical zone and over 1667 commissioned projects. More so, the ICT sector is currently the fastest growing sector in the Nigerian economy, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, who joined the occasion virtually expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the Honourable Minister on the very eventful two years in office, the Telecom Industry and ICT Sector. He also credited him for showing no hesitance to lead from the front. The DG, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa also applauded him for his second-to-none implementation of projects and policies in terms of economic diversity.
The events took place at the Communications & Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja with dignitaries in attendance namely, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu; former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Chairman Governing Board, NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande and the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) NCC, Mr. Adeleke Morounfolu Adeolu, among others.
 Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (middle) flanked by dignitaries |
 Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami virtually commissioning Digital Nigeria projects |
 Batch 11 Projects for commissioning |
 Chairman Governing Board, NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande delivering his goodwill message |
 Secretary, USPF Ayuba Shuaibu giving the welcome address |