NCC Partners with NITRA for ICT Growth Conference on AI’s Role in National Development

NCC Partners with NITRA for ICT Growth Conference on AI’s Role in National Development

Lagos, Nigeria –In a significant move to drive the growth and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Nigeria’s ICT sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced its partnership with the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) for the forthcoming NITRA ICT Growth Conference. This highly anticipated event, now in its fourth edition, is set to take place on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Citiheight Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference, themed “Impact of AI on National Development: Prospects, Policies, and Challenges in Nigeria,” is designed to serve as a critical platform for industry stakeholders to engage in deep discussions on the role of AI in shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital landscape. Leading these discussions will be Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and CEO of the NCC, who will spearhead the roundtable alongside other key figures in the ICT industry.

Dr. Maida’s participation underscores the NCC’s commitment to fostering growth within the ICT sector, particularly in areas that intersect with emerging technologies like AI. The event will bring together a diverse array of regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from both the public and private sectors to explore strategies for leveraging AI to accelerate national development.

According to Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Chairman of NITRA, this year’s conference is strategically aligned with ongoing efforts by both government and private sector players to digitalize Nigeria. “The theme of this year’s conference is aimed at complementing various initiatives toward a digitalized Nigeria, especially in the area of Artificial Intelligence,” Onwuegbuchi said. “We believe that AI has the potential to revolutionize multiple sectors, and this conference is about identifying the paths to harnessing that potential effectively.”

The conference will feature a series of multi-panel interactive sessions that delve into the themes such as “Driving Sub-Sectoral Digital Growth with Artificial Intelligence” and “Navigating the Dangers of AI in a Developing Economy: The Role of Public and Private Stakeholders.” These sessions are expected to generate actionable insights that will help shape the future of AI integration in Nigeria.

The discussions will also focus on how AI can contribute to achieving the federal government’s digital economy targets as outlined in key policy documents. These include the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027), the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content (NPPIC), the National Telecommunications Policy, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025), and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

Mr. Onwuegbuchi emphasized the importance of this forum in reassessing and reinvigorating existing policies to maximize the impact of AI on Nigeria’s growth. “This is a growth conference, and it is crucial that stakeholders are given the opportunity to speak out on what the growth indices should be,” he added. He also expressed his appreciation to the stakeholders who have consistently supported the event, noting that the ICT industry’s growth has a positive ripple effect on all other sectors of the economy.

The conference is expected to attract an impressive lineup of participants, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; NCC’s EVC, Dr. Aminu Maida; NITDA’s Director-General, Mr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi; and CEOs of various government and private ICT companies. Additionally, representatives from industry associations such as the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), and the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) will contribute their perspectives.

The event will also see full participation from the media, with the entire membership of NITRA in attendance, alongside Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Chief Risk Officers (CROs), and Chief Compliance Officers (CCOs) from across the industry.

Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, General Secretary of NITRA, noted that the engagement of such a broad spectrum of stakeholders is crucial for ensuring that the discussions lead to meaningful outcomes that can drive the ICT sector forward.

As the date approaches, anticipation is building within the industry, with many looking forward to the insights and strategies that will emerge from this pivotal event. The NITRA ICT Growth Conference 2024 is set to be a landmark occasion that not only highlights the challenges and opportunities of AI in Nigeria but also sets the stage for future advancements in the nation’s digital economy.