Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, stated on Monday that Nigeria's future hinges on technology rather than political promises. He emphasized that digital transformation is critical to addressing national issues such as unemployment, insecurity, and economic stagnation. Speaking at a tech innovation event in Abuja, Pantami highlighted ongoing initiatives under his tenure, including the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. He pointed to the deployment of broadband infrastructure and the establishment of digital literacy programs as evidence of progress. "Technology is not a luxury; it is the foundation for sustainable development," Pantami said. He urged young Nigerians to focus on acquiring digital skills instead of waiting for government handouts. Pantami also referenced the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, launched in 2022, as a key milestone in local capacity building. He maintained that reliance on foreign technology solutions undermines national sovereignty. The event, organized by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, brought together tech entrepreneurs, policymakers, and students.
Isa Ali Pantami's push to position technology as Nigeria's salvation rings hollow without addressing the systemic failures that have undermined past digital initiatives. While he touts the 2022 launch of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the absence of verifiable impact metrics or widespread public access to such facilities raises doubts about their real-world reach. His message to youth to "acquire digital skills" ignores the reality that millions lack reliable electricity or internet connectivity—basic prerequisites for digital participation.
Pantami's tenure oversaw policy rollouts, but execution consistently lagged. Projects like the National Digital Economy Policy remain unevenly implemented, with rural communities largely excluded. His emphasis on self-reliance through technology shifts responsibility from the state to individuals, sidestepping the government's role in creating enabling infrastructure. When broadband deployment is concentrated in urban centres, the digital divide widens rather than closes.
For ordinary Nigerians, especially those in underserved regions, Pantami's vision remains abstract. Without affordable internet, functional devices, and consistent power, digital literacy programs cannot scale meaningfully. The promise of technology as a cure-all risks becoming another unfulfilled narrative for the poor.
This reflects a broader trend in Nigerian governance: the preference for high-profile policy launches over sustained, inclusive implementation.
