August 05, 2021 [FCT, Abuja] – The Republic of Korea through its grant aid agency, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Office in Nigeria today signed a new project agreement worth 13 million US Dollars with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) in Abuja, to further boost the eGovernment expansion in Nigeria.

This new project 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 grant aid, is expected to enhance capacity for the further execution of key initiatives of the National eGovernment Master Plan, improve competencies for eGovernment service delivery through capacity building programs, expand the delivery of government digital services through the activation of the Government Service Portal www.services.gov.ng and create increased access for NIN enrolment through the establishment of additional NIN enrolment centers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), PhD, Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy informed that KOICA’s aid disbursement for eGovernment remains the highest in Nigeria. He shared the remarkable experience he had during his visit to Korea for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference, remarking that the experience presented him with the opportunity to appreciate the robust advancement of Korea’s eGovernment structures and implementation. The Honorable Minister acknowledged the willingness of the Federal Government to expand eGovernment in Nigeria, adding that the Ministry was fully prepared to actualize the objectives of this new project to further boost the expansion of eGovernment initiatives across the country. In a brief remark, Mr. Woochan Chang, Country Director, KOICA Nigeria Office, informed that 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.

The signing ceremony also witnessed the presence of H.E. Ambassador Kim, Young- Chae, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, H.E. Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Budget and National Planning who was represented by Mr. Abdullahi Yakubu, Assistant Director, International Cooperation Department and Mrs. Fatima Sheji, Principal Officer Asia-Pacific, International Cooperation Department, Dr (Mrs.) Nonye Nwachukwu, Acting Permanent Secretary, FMCDE, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Professor Muhammed Bello Abubakar, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, Director General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the Record of Discussion (project agreement) between H.E. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), PhD, Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy who signed on behalf of Federal Government of Nigeria and Mr. Woochan Chang, Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency who signed on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The signing of the Record of Discussion officially denotes the commencement of the project.

Anything that will bring positive results is a welcome development..

God bless Nigeria