The former Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has continued to make giant strides and epitomise enviable values in just one year of leaving office......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The Professor of Cyber-Security and the first African to become a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) has positioned himself as a model for the younger generations and shown that service to humanity is the most rewarding endeavour in life.
“Learning from cradle to grave” best describes his life and engagements.
As one of the bright stars under former President Muhammadu Buhari led-federal cabinet, Pantami remains in the limelight, owing to his remarkable achievements and interventions both within and outside the country; cutting across academics, Islamic advocacy, politics, philanthropy, community leadership, mentorship, among others.
Conferences, seminars
Since leaving office, Prof Pantami’s daily schedule has been packed with series of activities. From being guest speakers in institutions and organisations, both within and outside the country, where he addresses religious and non-religious topics, especially on Artificial Intelligence, AI, Cyber Security, Soft Skills and other ICT related matters which have always been his research interests.
As he humbly declined many scheduled conferences and seminars due to time constraints and clash with other activities, Pantami keeps getting more invitations. Despite the stress attached to traveling, Pantami was a guest speaker at different fora from Jigawa to Kano, Kastina, down to the Kwara, Osun States in the Southwest, where he gave brilliant speeches and showcases academics prowess.
For instance, in the month of July, he was a speaker at a conference in Egypt. The conference was themed’ ‘Education for the Future’, and attended by scholars and leaders of industry. As a consultant, Pantami only just returned from Rabat, Morocco few days ago where he had gone for an expert review of the proposed Artificial Intelligence Charter for the OIC member countries.
Back home in Nigeria, he was a keynote speaker at an academic workshop by Nile University of Nigeria. The theme of the event was ‘Navigating the New Normal, Building a Digital Ready Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for the Future’. He was also the Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony of Al-Ansar Centre Comprehensive Education (ACCCE) where he spoke to the topic, “Social Skills in the Qur’an and the Contemporary era for a very successful career, to mention but a few.
Philanthropy
The former Minister also flouted a Al-Waalidayn Charitable Foundation in Gombe in memory of his late father and mother. The Center was commissioned in early 2024 to support communities and provide training in vocational and digital skills. It has School, Vocational Centre, Mosque, Offices, Digital Training Centre, 10 shops, 2 houses.
The Professor of Cyber-Security at Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has continuously provided humanitarian supports through distribution of foods and other interventions to his people in a bid to cushion the economic hardship.
He has commissioned more than 150 verifiable projects attracted in Gombe State, some of which include Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), North-East Zonal Office; National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Zonal Office; Galaxy Backbone Limited North-East Zonal Office; Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited Zonal Office; and Digital Economy Centre (DEC & E-Learning ) Gombe State Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo.
Others are Digital Nigeria Centre – 2022 Junior Secondary School Nafada Central; Digital Nigeria Centre – 2022 Vocational Training Centre Gombe; Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Across Different Locations in Gombe State and Local Government Areas; Digital Economy Centre (DEC & E-Learning ) Deba Emirate Council, Progress Association; Digital Economy Centre (DEC & E-Learning ) Gombe State College of Education and Legal Studies NAFADA; Digital Economy Centre (DEC & E-Learning ) Science Intensive School, By Pass, Akko LGA; 2021 Campus Connectivity Networks (CCN) GSU Gombe and others.
Da’wah activities
As a prominent Islamic scholar, Prof. Pantami has not stopped his da’wah series which he actively committed to before and during his appointment as minister. He was still much available to conduct his annual Tafsir (exegesis of the Qur’an) during the last month of Ramadan which was widely followed on social media and aired on several TV channels.
The former minister also uses other platforms to spread the message of Islam, including his social media handles where he offers clarity to questions raised by followers seeking Islamic perspectives on a wide range of matters.
Prof. Pantami is also seen as the go-to scholar for Nikaah (marriage contract). He has officiated so many of such contracts, especially involving high-profile persons across political leanings, even after his ministerial appointment.
Pantami is loved for his wisdom, exceptional character and skills.
During the Nikaah celebration of his daughter, Prof. Ibrahim Maqari, one of the Imams at the National Mosque Abuja, picked Prof. Pantami to stand as the waliyy. This is despite the noticeable differences in their ideological leanings with Maqari being a Sufi scholar, and Pantami favouring the Sunni ideology.
Prof. Pantami is a regular guest at An-Noor Mosque, Wuse 2, Abuja, where he holds Ta’aleem (Islamic lessons) for Muslims on different issues. His session is always well-attended, especially by young people, who flock around him after the programme.
Awards
Prof. Pantami is one of the most decorated Nigerians with over 80 awards celebrating and honouring his contributions to development of Nigeria, with outstanding scholarship and academic achievements.
As a Sheikh, he was conferred with the Distinguished Fellowship Award by the Federal Polytechnic Kazaure during the institution’s 5th Convocation ceremony in June. He also received an award from the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, after his keynote speech at a workshop in July.
The Gombe-born scholar also received Cyber Security Week Appreciation Award in gratitude to his valuable insights and contributions during at organisation’s week held in August, 2024. He was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year Awards, a yearly award organised by Muslim News to celebrate Muslim achievers.
While in Morocco, Pantami was honoured by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit; MSSN University of Abuja and in his State, MSSN Gombe State Area Unit, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Islam through the Students Society. Pantami’s association with the Muslim Students’ body began in 1987 when he served as the secretary of his school.
Publications
In the last three years, Prof. Pantami has authored five books. They include: Skills Rather Than Just Degrees; Cybersecurity Initiatives for Securing a Country; Building a Digital Economy for a Digital Africa; Datafication of Society to Foster an Internet Economy; and A Scholar’s Journey: Navigating Academia.
His ‘Skills Rather Than Just Degrees’ sparked contentious debates among netizens lately. It is arguably the most-talked-about publication in recent memory. Many students have continued to identify with the book by emblazoning the theme on their t-shirts and acknowledging its impact on their lives.
Appointments
The African Union appointed the former Minister to serve as Co-Chair of the 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council. The appointment was conveyed through the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU-ASRIC). The Council is expected to formulate and develop the framework for the 4th Industrial Revolution Policy and Strategy for the 54 countries on the African continent.
Pantami, is undoubtedly a thoroughbred professional and a promoter of the 4th Industrial Revolution was instrumental to the development of Nigeria’s first Digital Economy Policy.
He was appointed as a reviewer of the proposed Artificial Intelligence Charter for the 57 ICESCO member countries. The charter eyes a brighter future in AI innovation, adoption, and ethical governance for ICESCO member countries. The all-important assignment took place in Rabat, Morocco.
On the sidelines of the assignment, the organisers arranged a special visit to the Prophet Museum in Rabat for Prof. Pantami. The former minister shared his experience in a Twitter post after the visit.
Political move
Prof Pantami might not be a card carrying member of any political party in Nigeria but the moment he accepted to serve as a minister under former President Buhari, he has indirectly become a politician.
Interestingly, Islam encourages its adherents to be political, especially in a multi-religious country like Nigeria with the sole aim of enforcing goodness and forbidding evils – which he practically demonstrated as he made significant impacts under his ministry and by extension, his constituency and Nigeria at large.
Little wonder why many of his supporters and community leaders in his state are hoping to see him contest in the 2027 Gombe Guber Election when the current occupant, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya completes his second term.
Muslim News gathered that Pantami’s exemplary leadership as a Minister compelled some concerned residents across 114 political wards of Gombe State to institute an order of mandamus in the Gombe High Court in 2022, mandating him to contest the 2023 governorship election.
Although, Pantami has not formally declared to run for any political office, analysts believe that if he chooses to run in the future, he will surely get the support of his people considering the unwavering support he enjoys from them.
Criticisms
Like every human being, Prof Pantami is not immune from criticisms. And, the latest is inability of the NIN-SIM registration exercise to effectively tackle kidnapping despite the assurances during his tenure as minister.
Pantami however blamed the security agencies for failing to utilise data generated. According to him, “NIN-SIM policy has been working. However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed. Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy.
