The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the UNICCON Group of Companies are working together to help startups and Small and Medium Businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria’s technology industry.
This was recently resolved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by representatives from both companies.
The cooperation will also focus on assisting local entrepreneurs and SMEs in the technology industry by providing them with capital, mentorship, and other forms of assistance that will allow them to expand and compete on a global basis.
NITDA and UNICCON will also work to develop and promote local content in Nigeria through various initiatives such as capacity building, skill development, and the creation of an enabling environment for local content producers and developers, according to the conditions of the MoU.
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Taking advantage of the NITDA’s Learning Management System (LMS)
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by Head of Legal Unit of the Agency, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, while speaking after signing the MOU, adviced that everyone should take advantage of the learning management system (LMS), which can be integrated into API provided by the Unicorn group, in order to take advantage of the “Omeife”, a female-looking humanoid robot being developed by the Uniccon Group of Companies.
“Omeife” is a 6-foot-tall female, African humanoid that provides language as a service for businesses needing to integrate native African audiences. She is also a multipurpose and assistance robot. She speaks African languages and is programmed to have a deep understanding of African culture and behavioural patterns.
Inuwa recounted that during the unveiling of “Omeife” last year in December by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), had urged NITDA to work with Uniccon Group on ways to commercialise Omeife.
“We plan to have an application that everyone can use to take advantage of Omeife. At NITDA, we have had the Learning Management System (LMS) for a long time and can be integrated into API provided by the Unicorn group, in order to take advantage of it”. He said.
Inuwa stated that leveraging on Omeife (robot) will deepen the penetration of digital literacy across the country, providing a platform for shared knowledge in Pidgin, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. This will provide a framework and platform for exposure of Nigeria’s indigenous content internationally.
“Our greatest dream is to nurture startups and companies that will occupy the global space and also be as competitive as possible for the growth of the economy.
“Digital Economy is a great alternative to oil, which serves as a means of income and an opportunity for us to compete because the entry-level is intellect and we have a lot of that across the country,” the DG asserted.
The Chairman/CEO of Uniccon Group of Company, Mr. Chuks Ekweme during his remarks commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), and the DG of NITDA for the policies and initiatives implemented towards the digital transformation of the country.
He assured that Unicorn Group of Company will support the government towards the actualisation of policies and initiatives, and do their best to contribute their quota towards the implementation drive for the growth of the country.
Ekweme emphasized the importance of the AI project in Africa, stating that statistics show that no African country can boast of having 60% AI by 2030, with most countries falling below this percentage. Therefore, the signing of the MoU is a crucial step towards bridging this gap and positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI development.