The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Alli Isa Pantami, has urged state governments to create a ministry of digital economy in order to boost economic growth.
Pantami stated this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Southwest Nigeria, during a courtesy visit on Governor Seyi Makinde in appreciation of his decision to host the ongoing 10th National Council on Communication and Digital Economy, held in Ibadan.
The Minister was hosted at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Alli Isa Pantami, who was in Ibadan for the 10th session of the National Council on Communication and Digital Economy, disclosed that he was at the Governor’s Office to appreciate Governor Makinde for his support to the session and to encourage the state to establish a ministry of digital economy.
He affirmed that digital economy had contributed significantly to economic growth, job creation as well as increase in the revenue generation of the federation than any other sector and cannot be left under another ministry.
In response to the request, Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, disclosed that his administration understood that ICT was critical to the progress and impact it desired to make since its inception in 2019.
He revealed that his administration was aware that investing in digital economy was important to expanding the state’s economy, which is one of its strategic points, and had put policies and framework on ICT in place by digitising all processes in the state.
Makinde affirmed that his administration would take note of what could be done about creating a ministry of digital economy, as requested by the minister, because it is clear that ICT is the future.