Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cyber Security, emphasized the vital role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria’s GDP.
He expressed the need for Nigeria to consider ICT as an enabler for other sectors, speaking at the SuperBridge Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Senator Salisu noted that the Senate members are supportive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to leverage technology to boost Nigeria’s economy and reduce the cost of governance.
As part of this commitment, he mentioned that the processes and implementation of the 2024 budget will align with President Tinubu’s short and long-term agenda.
This extends to budget monitoring and implementation by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
President Tinubu aims to increase spending in his first budget since his inauguration, with the goal of boosting economic growth and raising GDP to 3.76% in 2024.
Senator Salisu stressed the importance of digital literacy in expanding financial inclusion and economic participation.
He highlighted the advantage of Africa’s youthful population in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to drive technological advancement on the continent.
Senator Salisu emphasized the need for African countries to establish digital literacy networks to empower the youth, allowing them to contribute to their countries’ development while participating globally in information technology advancement.
The SuperBridge Summit in partnership with GITEX GLOBAL gathered influential leaders and executives to explore opportunities in the global economy and the rise of new markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond.
The event featured discussions on the transformative prospects in the world’s fastest-growing economies and their impact on future global economic trends.