Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy announced the launch of the Bosun Tijani Foundation’s Reuse Lab on Saturday, which will concentrate on helping to connect the underprivileged by collecting, refurbishing, and distributing second-hand digital gadgets.
While ensuring that gifted youths who can’t currently afford these gadgets have access to them, the foundation’s work will also help with larger environmental sustainability initiatives.
The primary focus of the first phase will be the distribution of 70 refurbished laptops to secondary school students around Nigeria as part of the premier experiment. The 70 devices were donated by the British Council and Co-Creation Hub.
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Eligibility criteria
To be eligible, interested secondary students in Nigeria are to write an essay explaining why they need these devices.
The minister stated, “I’m hoping to read interesting stories highlighting your passion and vision for the future. I will also be looking out for originality and creativity, so we will be checking to see if you’ve left your entire entry to GenAI.”
Essay submissions can be made through this link: https://b.link/Reuse-Lab.
Minister Tijani calls on corporate entities who are willing to support the foundation with digital devices to indicate interest through this email: foundation@tijani.co
“On another note, as we build on this work, I am also open to corporate entities who are willing to support this drive by donating previously used digital devices (laptops, tablets, mobile phones) to be refurbished and distributed to those who need them. Please indicate interest at foundation@tijani.co,” he added.
Questions of serving public officials establishing NGOs
However, this brings to question whether high-ranking public officials can set up an NGO in the course of service.
In reaction to Minister Tijani’s announcement, Luther King Fasehun, a public health executive, stated, “If I may, I do have serious concerns with a sitting Minister launching a nonprofit or foundation while still in office. I share my concerns with the utmost humility and respect, of course, but, I hope you will see the obvious conflict of interest in this situation. This project of refurbished laptops could be done within the current framework of your ministry.”
In response, Minister Tijani said, “Government should invest in new devices and we are doing so. I wouldn’t use the government platform for refurbished devices programme. I will be thoroughly criticised if I do so. It also stands a greater chance of lasting years if separated from government. Zero conflict!”
A business intelligence developer, Dare O., shared Fasehun’s sentiment; he stated, “There’s everything ethically wrong for a minister of the Federal Republic to be using his office to promote his personal foundation.”
Omololu Audu, a strategic intelligence analyst stated, “This is a commendable initiative. That said, I wonder if starting a nonprofit (organisation) while serving as a minister might raise ethical concerns. Wishing you the very best with this project.”
However, Godwin Okafor, a Financial Journalist, believes the minister can do more than just distribute refurbished devices.
He said, “We should be expecting you to be thinking of pioneering Nigeria’s launch of its first satellite into space and building space stations in Nigeria and inviting space astronauts experts to come and train Nigerians at home to start thinking of building Space stations in Nigeria.”
“Or even invite investors that will build Data Centers in every corner of Nigeria. We need Data Centers in Nigeria, and revenue can be made if local investors are involved and we make work (sic),” he added.
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What does the law say?
Nigerian law forbids ministers and other active public officials from establishing or overseeing non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This is in line with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers (CCPO), which was initially established by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution.
The CCPO prevents a conflict of interest and ensures public servants do not misuse their positions for private benefit.
To preserve the impartiality and integrity of the public service, the law forbids active public officials from founding or running non-governmental organisations.