By Our Reporter
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday reiterated the 10th Assembly’s resolve towards enacting robust Information Communication Technology (ICT) legislative framework that will not only transform the country’s educational sector but also create fertile ground for job creation, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
The Speaker gave the assurance in Abuja, during the flag-off of a public hearing on a ‘Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Institute of Information Communication Technology, Idanre, Ondo State, to provide full-time courses, teaching, instruction, and training in Information Communication Technology and to provide for the appointment of the Provost and other Officers of the Institute to carry out the administration and the discipline of Students of the Institute’, as well as a ‘Bill for an Act to promote Information Technology Education, Entrepreneurship, and Infrastructure Development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with Atisbo as the hub for the South-West Zone’, held at the instance of House Committee on Digital and Information Technology (ICT), chaired by Hon. Stanley Adedeji.
Tajudeen represented by the Majority Deputy Whip, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka who expressed delight over the intendment of the bills, averred that a “robust ICT framework will not only transform our educational sector but also create fertile ground for job creation, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
“It will serve as a strong barrier against the challenges of unemployment and social discontent, equipping our youth with skills that align with the demands of the 21st-century workplace. These initiatives align seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment and job creation.
“It is imperative for us to explore how ICT can transform the way education is conducted, how students learn, how knowledge is transmitted, and how educational processes are managed. We must tap into the immense potential of emerging and future ICT technologies to revolutionize the education system.”
While urging various stakeholders to make robust inputs into the provisions of the legislations, he expressed optimism that “the success of these bills transcends legislative processes. It requires a collective commitment to implementing policies that will redefine the role of technology in our national development narrative.”
On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Rep. Adedeji Stanley Olajide explained that the bill which seeks to establish federal institute of Information communication technology will provide full-time courses in teaching instruction and training in information
communication technology.
“It will also award HND, ND, Diplomas and Professional Certificates in ICT.
This Institute when created will train young Nigerians into world-class programmers and software developers. It will also give them the opportunity to acquire the relevant skills and critical competencies required to participate in the new global information and communication technology.”
The second bill which seeks to promote Information Technology Education,
Entrepreneurship and Infrastructure Development across six geopolitical zone of Nigeria is in recognition of the transformative potential of Information Technology (IT) in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and empowering youth across the country. This will provide job opportunity for our unemployed youth.
