Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, says the Federal Government approved a 50% tariff hike for telecommunication companies to sustain the industry.
Tijani added that the new tariff would enable telecommunication companies to invest in new infrastructure and improve connectivity.
He said this at the maiden Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) summit on Saturday in Ibadan, with the theme: “The Rain of Transformation is upon us: CEOs Arise.”
The minister urged Nigerian youths to drive technological progress as the present administration provides the necessary infrastructure.
“The biggest challenge for governments is individuals, as we invest in infrastructure to drive the progress of technology. We need individuals, we need innovators, we need entrepreneurs to actually build the technologies,” Tijani said.
He commended the founder of RAIN, Dr. Olusola Ayoola, stating:
“Without folks like him and the work they are doing in the ICT terrain, it will be difficult for Nigeria to develop technologically. I think we are grateful that Nigeria has the privilege of a man like Ayoola, who is putting Ibadan on the map. Governments cannot build the progress that we want to see. What governments will build is the foundation for that progress to happen.”
The minister said the future of robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria had already been established.
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According to him, the productivity and prosperity that nations strive for will stem from the smart application of AI.
“And with what RAIN is building, we will start to see more direct applications coming from the innovation that young people are developing. That is what any nation wants to see. Our role is to continue to support,” he said.
He noted that the government’s role was to continue investing in infrastructure that would enable and facilitate technological progress.
Chief Aderemi Oseni, the Special Guest at the event and Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, underscored the importance of identifying and developing technological capacities in youths.
Oseni emphasized that creating opportunities in technology would help reduce the high unemployment rate among young people.
Similarly, the former Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, highlighted the transformational impacts of robotics and AI.
According to him, these technologies have changed the way businesses operate, enhancing decision-making, increasing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and delivering personalized services to customers.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on ICT and e-Governance, Mr. Bayo Akande, spoke on the significant strides the state had made in technology.
According to him, the state government will continue to support and create an enabling environment for technological transformation.
Akande noted that the state had invested massively in building robotics and artificial intelligence hubs for educational purposes.
Earlier, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RAIN, Dr. Olusola Ayoola, said the summit was aimed at bringing together a community of Nigerian young people and entrepreneurs.
According to him, the government and other stakeholders need to recognize that Nigeria has the capacity and capability to advance technologies that can bring prosperity to the nation if properly harnessed.
“RAIN already has coverage. We have a RAIN network in about 50 institutions in Nigeria, and this is to pursue the goals we believe in—tech development through AI and robotics,” Ayoola said.
He suggested that policy direction should focus on making AI and robotics learning accessible to youths by developing local content and sourcing local experts as trainers.
The event featured the presentation of awards of excellence to the minister and Justice Ruqayat Ayoola, the mother of RAIN’s CEO.
