The 6th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology held at the June 12 Cultural Centre Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, from Monday to Friday (November 19- 24, 2018) has advised government to fast-track the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) through the collaboration of the Ministry of Communications and Science and Technology at Federal and State levels. The Council in a communiqué recommended that Local content Compliance Certificate be included as part of the requirement for Government contractors for the award of contract.

It also resolved that all tiers of government should key into the digitisation of Civil service as a means of improving productivity and afford citizens access to government service, and that NITDA and Galaxy backbone explore the use of block-chain technology in the public service delivery.

It called for the use of NICTIB to deploy electronic dashboard to monitor ERGP progress and also ensure the rapid connection of town and cities via last mile connectivity links, the collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Women Affairs in the realisation of Digital literacy on Women and Girls in the six geopolitical zones in line with the ERGP objectives of the Federal Government.

Other resolutions include:

*That there should be 10% slot for persons with disabilities for capacity building on ICT across all Government institutions, that Transport data be included into the National ICT policy which will help people use almost the same level of transport and ICT services that people enjoy in developed countries today.

*That Forestry Research Institute, in collaboration with the National Space Research Development agency, formulate policies that will integrate web-based remote sensing that will integrate anthropogenic and natural disasters

*The pooling of ICT staff to the MDA responsible for ICT for the purpose of proper control, management and implementation of project and programmes of the states.

The meeting encouraged NITDA to render necessary assistance in providing support to states for agriculture value chain management and the states key into the broadband penetration plan in Nigeria which will save costs and improve better relations.

It advised state governments to collaborate with relevant telecommunication companies and service providers so as to provide the necessary support for easy implementation of the Digital Villages Project. It encouraged MDAs to develop individual digital business strategies and cloud backup systems which should be domiciled in the country.

The Council recommended that Nigerian ICT professional, professional bodies and ICT firms operating in the country should comply with the directives of the Presidential order 005 and make available the data of their experts to NOTAP as a component for the development of the national database.

It advised MDAs to pursue PPP options to secure the creation of digital platforms for citizen participation and enlightenment, the rapid connection of towns and cities to NICTIB via last-mile connectivity links leading to the creation of new jobs opportunities in ICT across the country.

It also advised the Federal government to issue a circular to all MDAs on the patronage of communications satellite requirement from NIGCOMSAT in compliance with Federal Executive Order 003 and 005.

The Council encouraged states to establish their State Information Technology Development Agencies (SITDA); Advised the Ministry of communications to issue a circular to states to designate a desk officer/civil servant in the appropriate MDAs where there is no Ministry of Communications to handle ICT related matters.

It expressed appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor and the good people of Ogun State for hosting the 6th National Council meeting and for the excellent hospitality including the excellent facilities placed at the disposal of participants. The Council agreed that the 7th National Council on Communication Technology will be held in Bauchi State at a later date in 2019 yet to be decided.

The 6th regular Meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT-06) which had “Leveraging Information Communication Technology as a veritable tool for Economic Recovery and Growth” as theme. It was declared open by Governor of Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, and was presided over by the Minister of Communications, Dr Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Nkechi Ejele.

In attendance were members of the Council that included commissioners and representatives of State Governments, Chief Executives of Agencies and Parastatals, in-charge of ICT in Federal and State levels, NGOs, Members of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) and other Stakeholders.

The Council received a total of 109 memoranda out of which 94 were considered and 15 were stepped down. After extensive deliberations, the resolution was adopted.

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