From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has disclosed the readiness of the Federal Government to increase the contribution of the digital economy to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 21 percent.
Tijani, who noted that digital economy as a key driver of the economy is contributing about 16-18 percent to the nation’s GDP, expressed optimism that raising the digital economy’s contribution to the GDP would equally open doors of more jobs and greater opportunities to young Nigerians.
He stated this at a reception organised in his honour by his alma mater, Anglican High School, Quarry Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday.
The minister also met with members of the tech community in the state where he highlighted the government’s plans and policies to drive technology innovations.
“The digital economy already in Nigeria contributes anywhere between 16-18 percent to our GDP.
“The target of this administration is to take that to 21 percent and if we do that, it means we can create many more jobs. By creating more jobs, it means we can create more opportunities for the young ones.”
Tijani added that the government has been developing innovation hubs across the country in order to expose young minds to cutting-edge technology, disclosing the government will soon launch a code club in schools across the country.
“Also, for the first time in the history of this country, this administration is investing in 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country which means schools like this when they want to use the internet, it is not going to come through dongles, it will come through cables and they’re going to have the best internet that anyone anywhere in the World can have access to,” he noted.
For his alma mater, he announced a fellowship programme for top performing students from JSS1 to SS2 yearly with a reward of N100,000, uniform, sandals and laptop to each of the outstanding students.
Tijani, who said he left the school in 1993, also adopted a building for renovation, to be furnished with a set of furniture and a smart board.
He told the students that his experiences at the school have shaped him to become what he’s today.
“I have memories of this school and those memories sometimes may not be palatable, but there are also palatable experiences on campus as well.
“The goal is to let you realise that if you are focused, there’s absolutely nothing you cannot do. When you are today, the home you are from , the school you have been, is not what will determine your future. Your future will be determined by your ability to choose to take those experiences and turn them around for good,” Tijani submitted.