Cisco seeks partnerships with Nigeria on Digital Economy, commends Pantami’s Vision

The leadership of Cisco Africa Team today, Tuesday 13th July 2021, expressed the organisation’s willingness to partner with the country’s Digital Economy sector in order to further drive the Federal Government’s digitalisation process.

Uwa Suleiman, Spokesperson to the Minister, in a statement, explained that the gesture is as a result of the giant strides recorded by the sector under the leadership of Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

Speaking at a virtual meeting initiated by Cisco, Ms Pastora Valero,Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia,  commended Dr Pantami on what she described as his unprecedented legacies in the Nigerian Economy.

Valero said the Minister has demonstrated competence and innovative prowess through the establishment of a burgeoning digital sector that has caught global attention.

She urged the Minister to consider avenues of partnerships and collaborations with Cisco.

“We have keenly followed your progress and would very much like to be a part of your vision in driving the sector and are open to partnerships in that regard,” Valero said.

In her remarks, the Senior Director Policy and Governmental Affairs, Africa, Charmaine Houvet said “Pantami’s policies were in line with global trends and the potential for development in Nigeria cannot be ignored.

“The leadership that the Honourable Minister has brought to bear in the sector is highly commendable and Cisco is willing to be a part of this journey.”

In his response, Dr Pantami remarked that “we are championing a paradigm shift in the country leveraging on technology to give preference and priority to proven skills over paper qualifications. Particularly, digital skills”.

He drew the team’s attention to the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) Document particularly, pillars two and seven, centred around digital literacy and skills and digital societies and emerging technologies, with the objective of capacity building through digital skills acquisition.

Pantami identified the need for partnership in the areas of training and urged Cisco to “establish training academies across Nigeria, especially in underserved areas in order to empower citizens with the requisite skills required to maintain global relevance”.

The Minister in response to Cisco’s prayers, immediately set up a technical team to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding in that regard.