The Republic of Korea and the Nigerian Government have signed a new project agreement worth $13 million aimed at boosting the eGovernment expansion in Nigeria.
The agreement signed in Abuja, this Thursday is also expected to increase access in the enrolment of the National Identification Number, NIN.
The agreement is for the implementation of the Project for Building Foundations Towards Digital Governance in Nigeria from 2020 to 2026.
The project which is fully funded by the Korean Government through Korea International Cooperation Agency is expected to help improve competencies for eGovernment service delivery through capacity building programs.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, said KOICA’s aid disbursement for eGovernment remains the highest in Nigeria.
Pantami explained the remarkable experience he had during his visit to Korea for the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, conference, saying the experience presented him with the opportunity to appreciate the robust development of Korea’s eGovernment structures and implementation.
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Pantami also said the Federal Government is ready to expand eGovernment in Nigeria, while also saying that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy was fully prepared to actualize the objectives of the new project to further boost the expansion of eGovernment initiatives across the country.
The Country Director, KOICA Nigeria Office, Woochan Chang, said the new project serves as a second phase for the Project for eGovernment Capacity Building in Nigeria, earlier implemented during 2013-2019, which was also fully funded by KOICA.
He called for the full activation of the Presidential Council on eGovernment which he regarded as a significant engine room for the operationalization of activities as designed in the new project, adding that the new project activities are closely aligned with the policy focus of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, NDEPS, 2020 -2030.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
