The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has trained over 50,000 persons under the Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) and other professional ICT courses and Programme in the country.
The former Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Ernest Ndukwe stated this in Abuja, Nigeria at the formal presentation of the report of the Expert Group on the Development of Appropriate Blueprint/Curriculum for ICT Innovation Research Programmes in Nigeria.
Dr Ndukwu who is also the Head of the group explained that NCC through its Digital Bridge Institute, DBI has facilitated ICT training and development Programmes explaining that this is in line with the leadership role of the commission in ICT capacity building to promote digital literacy, support the development of man power for the ICT sector of the economy, address skilled IT manpower shortage as well as ultimately encourage innovation.
He said the Commission’s intervention in capacity building using the DBI as a platform “is a shining illustration of how much Impact government can make in bridging the Digital divide,” he noted.
He enumerated some of the panel’s recommendations which include “the DBI to serve as the hub and the catalyst for ICT innovation research Programmes in the country enabling skills acquisition, tech start ups and the much needed job creation for the digital economy of today the panel .
“A sustainable funding for DBI from small portion of Annual Operating Levy to be permanently earmarked for its operations but within a framework that ensures proper accountability.
“The creation and development of ICT hubs and innovation centres at specified locations across the country devoted to software development and engineering in inverredes will be built on innovation and technology stressing that ICT plays a vital role in developing Internet driven and knowledge economy.” Dr Ndukwu explained
The Board Chairman of Commission Sen. Olabiyi Durojaiye said the panel was set up in mid July 2018 to advise the commission on ICT discovery, Innovations, Technology through the instrumentality of research activities and capacity building” the panel was asked to develop an ICT curriculum for training and Research Programmes in each proposed Centre, identify the profile and current state of DBI physical Infrastructure and the Technical requirements of each Centre amongst other functions,” he added.
While commending the Panel, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Dabnbatta noted that the commission would study the recommendations and try to implement them adding that: ” the aim was to transform the country by leverageing on ICT to transform governance and key sectors of the economy by building a critical mass of ICT and training the human capital needed to ensure it empowers citizens economically and socially transform the country,” Danbatta said.
Professor Dabnbatta disclosed that the DBI has matured from running short course and is now running National Innovation Diploma Programmes this would in turn transform the economy and empower citizens without recourse to government works.
