ABUJA – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has set up a 10-member advisory committee to cushion the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the start-ups, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Information Technology (IT) ecosystem.Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, who inaugurated the committee to advise the government on the measures to be taken to cushion the impact of pandemic, underscored the need to effectively provide the enabling environment for technology start-ups and ICT businesses to help in mitigating the potential impact of the pandemic on their businesses.A statement by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, said the committee was set up at the instance of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Members of the committee included Mr. Tomi Davies, President, African Business Angels Network, Mr Amal Hassan, Managing Director, Outsource Global, Mr. Bosun Tijani, MD, Co-Creation Hub.Other members are Mrs Juliet Anammah, Head, International Affairs, Jumia Group, Mr Kola Aina, Founder, Ventures Platform, Mr Musa Baba, MD, Teasy Pay, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Co-Founder, Andela.Mr. Collins Onuegbu, Managing Director, Signal Alliance, Dr Kalli Zannah, Special Assistant to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as well as Dr Amina Sambo-Magaji, the National Coordinator, Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship are also members. Inuwa said the committee was expected to devise suitable strategies for the provision of affordable internet access to individuals and businesses.The terms of reference of the advisory committee, as stated by the Director General of NITDA, include “to developing a framework to facilitate access to financing for technology and technology enabled ventures.CHECK THIS OUTSteeptoA Way Of Earning Money Right From Your Phone!Cyber BetA Guy From Lagos Became A Millionaire Using This Method!Cyber BetOnline Degrees In Nigeria – The Cost May Surprise YouOnline Degrees“Part of your responsibilities is also to devise modalities for encouraging the development and adoption of digital technology to support policies in line with the Work –from- Home directive of the Federal Government.“You will develop a support programme for innovation hubs to facilitate access to remote resources by start-ups during the work from home as well as other forms of support the hubs may require to be sustainable,” he said.He encouraged the committee to develop an all stakeholders enabled instrument especially technology and tech enabled start-ups.Inuwa said the committee members’ contribution was needed at this critical time to ensure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy was minimised.The committee has 48 hours to submit a preliminary report and would be expected to make effective use of digital technologies in carrying out its assignment.
