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Nigeria’s new Technology & Communications Minister – Mrs. Omobola Johnson – Former Chairwoman, Accenture

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President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria recently appointed Former Chairwoman and Country Director of Accenture Nigeria, Mrs. Omobola Johnson as Nigeria’s Technology and Communications Minister.

President Jonathan had previously indicated interest in creating a technology ministry to both scrutiny and praise from Nigerians. His decision to merge the communications and technology portfolio seems to be a good one and would help position Nigeria’s communication strategy with one that is hopefully future driven and innovative given its merger with ICT. This is key as the country gears up to position itself as one of the continent’s leading ICT hubs.

Biography – Mrs. Omobola Johnson


Mrs. Omobola Johnson is the former Chairwoman and Country Director of Accenture Nigeria and became the first woman to hold both positions. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Manchester and a Masters degree in Digital Electronics from King’s College, London. She joined Accenture, then Andersen Consulting in 1985. In the about two decades she was at Accenture, she progressed through various roles and was a Director and the Head of the Financial Services operating group in Nigeria before her appointment as the Managing Director in December 2004.

 

To tech professionals and enthusiasts reading this, what key areas would you like to see the new minister address or improve in Nigeria’s technology and communications sector?

 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/uesiet Ukeme Esiet

    Like I said for Google's expansion in Africa, she should work with local developers and companies to promote policies that foster the growth of the sector. She has to get everyone to the table to brainstorm strategies for the country: entrepreneurs, established local ICT companies, and the larger multinationals. She also has to demand improvement in the energy sector and a more reliable supply of electricity to ensure that ICT expands in Nigeria.

    • Adejare Adelodun Abi

      Quite a lot of task ahead,she need to be proactive,ICT as we all know enforce service portfolio management. I encourage the new minister to look beyond ICT policy formulation, she should positon her chance as Government Innovation Development Unit, empowered to design technical control on various disjointed government sectors/operations….this will help fix the loopholes in the nation's treasury.

      ….One instace, in the United State, SEVIS Program (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) & SEVP was introduced

      SEVP acts as the bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on foreign students. SEVP helps the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. SEVP administers the F and M visa categories, while the Department of State manages the J exchange visitor program.

      SEVP uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a web-based solution, to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents while approved to participate in the U.S. education system.

      SEVP collects, maintains and provides the information so that only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States. The result is an easily accessible information system that provides timely information to the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

      …The implecation of such program is enourmous

      1) it align and track university admisions with immigration

      2) it checks fraud in university systems

      3) evry international and local student hav service ID number

      :

      :

      Now, think of similar System in Nigeria…

      1)If every university get ID no from min of ICT for each student offerd admission.

      such ID traverse the infromation system of NIgeria Custom

      linked to DB of Nigeria University Commission

      linked to DB of NYSC….

      with such systems we can fix a number of loopholes and enrich our controls…too numerous merit to count…however, with this Idea…we can plan how many Graduate there is in the market, how many graduate there will be in next 2 years,we can even get figure of graduates to expect as per their disciplines….we can generate fund for govt(check sevis fees). create jobs .we can track illegal admission,remove illegal university,track illegal immigrant,sustain our edu and sernitize our education sector remove fraud in the system…curruption will not just vanish we need robust IS in all sectors with joint controls

      similar systems can be introduced in all sectors of the Economy…Nigeria Government wallet is leaking seriously and that is while some knowledge workers will tell you they like to stay in Nigeria than abroad haven understand the freedom…..

      ICT is the soluton to remove curruption in our system…I am working on a book(e-govmnt book) that discuss all this loopholes and how information system can solve them all….Kind regards…in case you need further info. email me through ( adelodun.adejare@gmail.com)

  • http://www.UPNAIRA.blogspot.com Tosin

    Although ICT is not as pervasive or cheap in Nigeria as we would like, the Ministry should

    1. create partnership with the Private sector to drive access for students everywhere at every level. Call it CSR, I want even the shabby primary schools in Madagali local government to have one (or five) little computers and internet modems within this year. Let our students feed their minds with knowledge.

    2. Facilitate the connection of Nigerian firms, software developers, and academics, with counterparts in Africa – Egypt, Kenya, South Africa. Enable competitions for travel funds, seed capital, venture capital, technology clubs, and such, so that Nigerians can aggressively enter value-creating innovation and industry. STEP-B grants, NOTAP, and RMRDC make efforts in this area. I would expect the Ministry led by Accenture lady to implement more successfully.

    3. Learn from Ernest Ndukwe tips about maintaining fair and open competition when ‘regulating’ small and large private companies in the ICT space.

    4. Make a decision about the space agency – is it useful or not? What kind of help or reorientation does it need to generate more excitement and results for Nigerians?

    THAT’S MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ONE MINISTRY LOL. Actually send comments to her o!

  • http://www.facebook.com/tosin.otitoju Tosin Otitoju

    Although ICT is not as pervasive or cheap in Nigeria as we would like, the Ministry should

    1. create partnership with the Private sector to drive access for students everywhere at every level. Call it CSR, I want even the shabby primary schools in Madagali local government to have one (or five) little computers and internet modems within this year. Let our students feed their minds with knowledge.

    2. Facilitate the connection of Nigerian firms, software developers, and academics, with counterparts in Africa – Egypt, Kenya, South Africa. Enable competitions for travel funds, seed capital, venture capital, technology clubs, and such, so that Nigerians can aggressively enter value-creating innovation and industry. STEP-B grants, NOTAP, and RMRDC make efforts in this area. I would expect the Ministry led by Accenture lady to implement more successfully.

    3. Learn from Ernest Ndukwe tips about maintaining fair and open competition when 'regulating' small and large private companies in the ICT space.

    4. Make a decision about the space agency – is it useful or not? What kind of help or reorientation does it need to generate more excitement and results for Nigerians?

    THAT'S MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ONE MINISTRY LOL. Actually send comments to her o!

  • Reginald Bassey

    A welcome appointment of a competent woman. Honestly for me I will make all my Ministers women….LOL

    I pray she will start by holding a major national discussion on the role of ICT in Education, Health, Business, and all major sectors. As a policy analysts, I have discovered that policies will never work in an African country until people, especially at the grassroots own those policies. A major discussion will ensure that as she begins to implement great ideas as those above have commented on, people will already be oriented towards the benefits and each to protect the national investments in this wise.

    Second, I will advise her to come with a clearly articulated and time-bound ICT strategy and plan for the country. With this document, she can go on a massive public enlightenment through the Universities, Sec and primary schools, so as to encourage many students to feed the obvious demand that will come out of an ICT economy.

    With these two bland points above I hope somebody will tell her that I wish her well ;)

  • http://about.me/walterYusufzakari Yusuf Zakari

    the ICT state of nigeria is more driven towards Telecommunications it will be nice if she could address issue of Software acceptance
    collaborate developers through a proper organisation that is active
    that also should be done for networking. i believe if a proper organisation is done professionalism will be encouraged and the work of many talented Nigerians especially in this fields will be encouraged.

    proper documentation and organisation of infrastructure i guess the list goes on and on She will have alot to do but the sustenance and appreciation of local talents should also be a priority

  • Babatunji Omoniwa

    I am impressed with the initiative of a CT ministry. There will be more focus on issues regarding policy implementation in the nation. Parastatals that has also been disfuntional as a result of wrong placement in other ministries would have a better voice and attention. ICT we all know is key to the success of our generation and alot still needs to be put in place.

  • oladejo ademola

    mum, there are various way of making money in telecom industry when it is time i will let you knows thanks