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Federal Government, Plateau State Open 13th National Council Meeting on Digital Economy in Jos
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in partnership with the Plateau State Government, has formally opened the 13th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) in Jos.
The five-day programme, holding at Crispan Suites and Event Centre, is themed “Accelerating Inclusive Digital Transformation: Bridging Gaps and Fostering Sustainable Growth Through Innovation.” It brings together federal and state officials, policy makers, and industry experts to deliberate on strategies that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital future.
In his welcome address, Mr. Lamba Peter Bot, Permanent Secretary of the Plateau State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, expressed delight that Plateau State is hosting this year’s council meeting. He described the gathering as a renewed commitment to shaping the nation’s digital future through innovation and inclusive growth.
According to him, the theme serves as a call to action—urging government and stakeholders to bridge gaps between the connected and unconnected, empower young people, support startups, and build digital solutions capable of advancing national sustainability.
Delivering his opening remarks, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said the theme underscores the urgent need to accelerate digital transformation across all sectors. He stressed that digital technology now drives global competitiveness and must be harnessed to shape Nigeria’s economic progress.
He emphasized that bridging digital gaps remains central to the Ministry’s mandate, highlighting the importance of expanding broadband access, strengthening digital literacy, and ensuring that no demographic or community is left behind. He added that sound policies and regulations are essential for protecting citizens while promoting innovation.
Declaring the technical session open on behalf of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Plateau State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Cletus Bako Shurkuk, welcomed delegates from across the federation. He said inclusive digital transformation is key to empowering communities, accelerating development, and ensuring opportunities for every Nigerian.
Dr. Shurkuk reaffirmed Plateau State’s commitment to supporting startups, developing homegrown digital solutions, and building strong partnerships with global organizations. He urged participants to work collaboratively toward a digital future that is equitable, sustainable, and innovation-driven.
Also speaking, the Director-General of PICTDA, Dr. Datong Dominic Gwanman, noted that hosting the council meeting underscores the Plateau State Government’s strong commitment to digital innovation. He highlighted the agency’s strides, including the digitalization of school management systems and ongoing efforts to expand data-driven solutions across key sectors.
From Kano State, Mr. Abba Guguwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, noted that the programme aims to produce comprehensive memos that will guide policy reforms and institutional transformation across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Similarly, Dr. Garba Gandu, Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), said the council’s deliberations would advance Nigeria’s digital economy by strengthening digital skills, upskilling workers, and adopting global best practices to remain competitive in the evolving technological landscape.
The session concluded with Engr. Gagare’s presentation of key memoranda focused on rural telecommunications expansion, enhanced data privacy, sustainable digital development, job creation, and mandatory digital training to align Nigeria’s digital economy with global standards.
The federal government has announced that nearly 10,000 Nigerians benefited from specialist medical services, surgeries and other healthcare interventions under the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Saturday at the National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and closing ceremony of the 2026 Diaspora Health Impact Initiative held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
Mr Salako said the initiative brought together thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora who voluntarily returned to the country to provide specialist medical services, conduct surgeries, mentor healthcare workers and support local health systems.
He described the programme as a demonstration of patriotism and an example of how diaspora expertise could help improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
According to him, diaspora medical teams drawn from organisations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany and South Africa delivered medical interventions across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Healthcare services
Mr Salako said the initiative provided medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostic services, telemedicine, sickle cell screening and other healthcare interventions to nearly 10,000 Nigerians.
He added that more than 2,000 frontline healthcare workers were trained during the programme to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide quality healthcare after the medical missions ended.
Among the achievements highlighted by the minister were the training of over 1,000 frontline health workers on the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
He also said more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries were carried out in Enugu, Imo and Abia states.
According to him, advanced interventional radiology, neurosurgery and endoscopy procedures were performed in Lagos, while healthcare workers in Edo State received training on ultrasound-based diagnosis of endometriosis.
He added that telemedicine and primary healthcare services were expanded in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State through the initiative.
Government plans
Mr Salako said the federal government would continue to strengthen engagement with Nigerian health professionals abroad by simplifying licensing procedures, facilitating locum arrangements and supporting customs and visa waivers for medical missions.
He added that the government would also encourage diaspora investment in hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
While acknowledging the migration of Nigerian health professionals, Mr Salako said the Tinubu administration was implementing reforms to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, workforce welfare, and professional development.
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He urged Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to register on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry to enable them to contribute more effectively to the country’s health sector.
Mr Salako also called for sustained collaboration through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer and public-private partnerships.
He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), state governments, development partners and members of the joint planning committee for supporting the successful implementation of the initiative.
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