Ex-Minister praises appointment of Isa Pantami as AU-ASRIC Co-chairman

Former Minister of Defence Prince Adetokunbo Kayode has hailed the appointment of the immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as the Co-chairman of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU-ASRIC) by the African Union (AU).

Kayode, while congratulating Pantami on his new appointment, said the appointment is a testament to Patanmi’s committed expertise and the seminal work he had done for our country, for which the country owes him a debt of gratitude.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the work has laid down the policy and implementation plans for the development of the digital space in Nigeria.

Kayode said Pantami, in four years as Minister, built up from scratch the digital economy space and laid a sure and solid foundation for the critical development of policies for the digital economy, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics, as well as data protection.

He said, “All the policies put in place pave the way for Nigeria to become a giant in the digital economy, which is one of the new economies in the world today. Thanks to him, as well as the indomitable Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit, our digital space is growing in leaps and bounds.

“Pantami is a committed and brilliant professional, a quintessential public servant, and one of the fathers of digital economy in Nigeria.

“We recall the huge support he gave us when we served as Chair of the Digital Economy Commission of NACCIMA, a very rare and enviable display of private-public cooperation for national development. We wish him well with the certainty that he will represent Nigeria with distinction.”

Pantami would be joined by Professor Anicia Nicola Peter from Namibia as co-chairman of the council saddled with crafting the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy and Strategy for Africa, which will impact all 54 countries on the continent.

Peter is a renowned researcher with extensive experience in human-computer interaction, social media, gamification, and emerging technologies.

Pantami’s appointment is a testament to his expertise in promoting the Fourth Industrial Revolution. His notable contributions include establishing the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) during his tenure as Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

He also played a critical role in creating Nigeria’s first digital economy policy, emphasising the digital society and emerging technologies.

The council boasts an impressive roster of experts, including Professor Khaleed Ghedira from Tunisia, Professor Maha Grima from Morocco, and other distinguished academics and policymakers.

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