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  • Communiqué of 4th IIIT Conference

    “Knowledge is a missing substance for Muslims. Therefore pick it up wherever you can find it”.                                          Hadith    

    Preamble

    It as promised in this column last Friday, The Message hereby brings forth the  Contents of the Communique issued at  the end of the Academic Conference held by the Ineternational  Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).  Renaissance is a special phenomenon in human development. It is like the rays of sun which photosynthesizes the plants to fruition. Wherever it occurs, renaissance rejuvenates the men and women in its immediate environment.

    Now is the time for Muslim renaissance  all over the world. And no environment is more suitable for it than Universities that is why Muslim Universities in various parts of the world are now flocking together with a view to gathering a common intellectual momentum that can rekindle their past glory.

    The Communique

    For a couple of days in the penultimate week, some Muslim Universities held an intellectual conference that accentuated the renaissance objective of this era in Osogbo the capital of Osun State, Nigeria. The conference was held between the 6th and 9th October, 2017 (17th -19th Muharram, 1439 A. H) with the theme, Islamic Universities: Integration of Knowledge and Sustainability. The conference is an annual assembly of Muslim academics around the globe. It serves as a platform for appraising the state of Muslim Universities with a view to identifying their challenges and proffering credible solutions. The International Conference on Islamic Universities is hosted by both East and West African sub-regions on a rotational basis. The conference was declared open by the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola on October 6, 2017 at the Amina Namadi Sambo Auditorium, Fountain University, Osogbo.

    Goodwill Messages

    Goodwill messages were delivered by the President General of the Nigerian  Supreme Council for Islamic  affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto,  His Eminence   Alhaji Muhammad Sa`ad Abubakar CFR, mni; Prof. Hassan Omar Kasule (Executive Secretary, IIIT) and Engr. Kamil Bolarinwa, President of the Nasrullahil-Al-Fathi Society, (NASFAT).

    Attendance

    The conference was attended by participants from Nigeria (the hosting country), Jordan, Malaysia, Sudan, Niger and Uganda.

    Participants’ Opinion

    Participants believed that :

    • Islamic Universities should be committed to the promotion of quality learning and knowledge integration while the pursuit of Excellence should permeate the spectrum of activities of the Islamic universities.
    • Islamic universities should be interdependent by connecting to one another in order to promote the needed ideals in the society regarding knowledge ingrained in Islamic prescriptions.
    • That Islamic Universities should pursue excellence as an Islamic virtue.

    Presentations and Discussions

    The keynote address was presented by Professor Is’haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigeria and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Fountain University, Osogbo.

    Keynote Address and Lead Papers

    A Keynote Address was delivered by Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede The topic of which was: Islamic Universities and Integration of Knowledge for Sustainability.

    Lead Papers:

    Three lead papers were presented as follows:

    • The Muslim Universities and the Challenge of Integration Model: A Case Study of Nigeria by Professor M. A. Bidmos
    • Rooting in Higher Education: Reality and Challenges by Dr Rehab Abdul Rahman Al-Shareef
    • The Concept of Epistemological Integration: Its Relevance to Reform of Higher Education by Professor Hassan Malkawi

    Observations

    The conference observed that:

    • The Islamicity of Islamic universities is not necessarily in name but in Islamic principles and tenets they offer as frontiers of knowledge.
    • The fact that universities are called Islamic does not mean that they should deprive people from having the worldly benefits as permitted by the Qur’an
    • Islamic universities should prepare the students to lead a useful life with a view to improving wellbeing of the society. This was considered as knowledge integration.
    • The current number of Muslim universities across the globe is grossly insufficient to cater for the learning needs of approximately two billion Muslims all over the world as well as the expected pedagogical and spiritual needs of the global community.
    • Research work and publications on the current integration of knowledge have largely focused on the principles and methodologies which amount to duplication of efforts of the earlier scholars in this field.
    • Muslim Universities, in terms of input and output, must be distinct from other universities that are not Islamic.

    Recommendations

    At the end the conference, the following recommendations were made based on the theme of this fourth conference.

    Integration

    • Islamic universities all over the world were established primarily to solve societal problems through the provision of quality learning in addition to the provision of spiritual training for the students.

    Therefore, these universities should hold on to these principles.

    • Islamic perspective of the contents of every course is integrated into teaching-learning process.
    • The integration of knowledge should be pragmatic by integrating the theoretical approach to teaching-learning into a tool for conducting developmental research capable of transforming human societies.
    • Islamic universities should accord both Arabic and Islamic Studies a priority and make possible to encourage the study of these two courses.
    • The Islamic Universities should serve as vanguards of promoting the concept of integration of knowledge in the universities with the society with a view to bridging the gap between the gown and town.

    Some veritable means to achieving this include organisation of workshops, seminars and civic engagement with stakeholders outside the universities.

    • With the spate of societal challenges, the intervention of Islamic universities is non-negotiable and therefore required in solving the problem of the dearth of teachers and students in public schools.
    • Islamic Universities should come together and establish partnership with other universities with the objective of knowledge sharing.
    • The proprietors of Islamic universities should see the development of universities as a continuous exercise. Continuous financial support of the proprietor of the universities is essential for the survival, growth and development of Islamic universities.
    • In line with the policies of their respective countries, Islamic Universities should design a curriculum that will include the integration of Islamic teachings into the modern knowledge.
    • Islamic Universities and the Muslim Ummah in general should not only bother about the dwindling education of the Muslims, they should also be concerned with the ways to ameliorate the challenges.
    • Muslims should not shy away from holding public offices as a way of making the society a better place.
    • Muslim Universities should justify the giant strides of the early predecessors in science and technology by rising to the task of expanding their faculties to include colleges of health sciences and faculty of technology.
    • Muslim Universities should make use of the vast knowledge and impressive credentials of retired Muslim professors to attract grants and enhance collaboration and linkages with international institutions.
    • Participants, having expressed concern over the spate of corruption, insurgency, militancy and other vices, recommended that all these instances of menace facing the country could be ameliorated with knowledge integration which Islamic universities are set to promote.

    Sustainability

    In order to achieve the sustainability of the roles and objectives of the Islamic universities in knowledge integration, the following measures are recommended:

    • Islamic Universities should intensify efforts at ensuring promotion of quality education that combines theory with practice.
    • Islamic universities should continue to charge affordable fees to address the problem of many poor Muslims who are unable to afford high and exorbitant fees to acquire university education.
    • Founders of Islamic Universities should not rely solely on the charitable donations, they should rather explore other creative means of generating revenue for the university.
    • About 28th other papers were presented at the Conference some of which will serve as reference points in the future. With this the Muslims Intellectuals around the World can rekindle, in this Century the marvelous renaissance that once propelled the World into a Phenomenal Technology.

  • Tipple IT’s 4th International Conference

     “Seek knowledge even if it will take you to China.”              Hadith    

    Preamble

    It was a unique gathering of who is who intellectual at Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State where intellectualism was heightened to a pinnacle last weekend. The participants were from various parts of Africa where Islamic Universities are vibrantly available. And their presentations vividly accentuated the fact that Islam is the foundation upon which human knowledge is built.

    Whether in primordial or contemporary time, no historian  of note has succeeded in documenting the history of intellectualism  without a fundamental reference to Islam and Muslims. As a matter of fact, what is called intellectualism today is the principal invention of the early Muslims based on their access to the template of the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is an axiomatic fact that the first citadel of learning called university was established by Muslims in the tenth century. That citadel is called the University of Cordoba which was established in Spain by the second Umayyad Dynasty. It was from that citadel that the Europeans first had the idea of University which they copied and spread to some other parts of the world including America. And today, the three oldest Universities in the world which are offshoots of the University of Cordova were established by Muslims. They are Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, Qairawiyyi University in Fez, Morocco and Zaytuniyyah University in Tunis, Tunisia. Each of these Universities is by far older than 1000 years. No other university in the entire world today can claim that age. It was through those Universities that Muslim scholars were able to introduce scientific subjects like Biology (‘Ilmul Ihyau), Chemistry (Kaymiyau), Physics (Fisiyau), Astronomy (‘Ilmul Ifalaq), Astrology (‘Ilmul Tanjeem), Mathematics (Riyadiyat), Algebra (‘Ilmul Jabr) and others.

    It was those Scholars who also invented zero, a meaningless numeral that gave meaning to decimals and technological development of the contemporary world. Without the invention of zero, the world would have continued to crawl behind Roman numerals of the yore. Today, the world is advancing in Technology at the instance of Islamic intellectualism.

     

    The tripple I&T conference.

    At Fountain University, Osogbo last weekend the 4th conference of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) was held. At the conference the welcome Address was delivered by Prof. Abdullateef Usman, the Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, who was the Chief Host while the Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, OFR, FNAL the Registrar of Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board (JAMB), Pro-Chancellor & Chairman, Governing Council, Fountain University & Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). The Goodwill Messages were delivered by the President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaj Muh. Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni; Dr. Ahmad Totonji of IIIT Headquarters and Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, President of Nasrullahi Alfatih Organisation (NASFAT). And Inaugural Address was delivered by the Governor of the state of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola who was a special guest of Honour.

     

    Profile of Tripple I&T

    The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) is a private, non-profit, academic, cultural and educational institution, concerned with general issues of Islamic thought and education. The Institute was established in the United States of America in 1981. It is independent of local politics, party orientations and ideological bias.

    The headquarters of the Institute are situated in Herndon, Virginia, in the suburbs of Washington DC. IIIT has established cooperation with a number of institutions and organizations in a number of capitals world-wide in order to carry out the Institute’s activities and programs. The Institute is governed by a Board of Trustees that meets regularly and periodically to elects one of its members to serve as President.

    The Institute is an intellectual forum working on educational, academic and societal issues from an Islamic perspective to promote and support research projects, organize intellectual and cultural meetings, publish scholarly works, and engage in teaching and training. It has established a distinct intellectual trend in Islamic thought which relates to the vivid legacy of the Ummah (Muslim nation) and its continuous efforts of intellectual and methodological reform, principally in the field of education, classical knowledge and social science. This involves a large number of researchers and scholars from various parts of the world.

    The Institute conducts its educational and training activities and courses through its institutional division, The Fairfax Institute.

     

    Mission of IIIT

    According to the contents of its website, The International Institute of Islamic Thought is dedicated to the revival and reform of Islamic thought and its methodology in order to enable the Ummah to deal effectively with present challenges, and contribute to the progress of human civilization in ways that will give it a meaning and a direction derived from divine guidance. The realization of such a position will help the Ummah regain its intellectual and cultural identity and re-affirm its presence as a dynamic civilisation.

    The Institute promotes academic research on the methodology and philosophy of various disciplines, and gives special emphasis to the development of Islamic scholarship in contemporary social sciences. The program endeavors to elucidate Islamic concepts that integrate Islamic revealed knowledge with human knowledge and revives Islamic ethical and moral knowledge, through education, teaching and support of scholarly research.

     

    Objectives of IIIT

    As its Objectives, IIIT aspires to conduct courses in order to promote its objectives to reform Islamic thought, to bridge the intellectual divide between the Islamic tradition and Western civilization. In its teaching and selection of teachers and courses, IIIT endeavors to promote moderation, inter-faith dialog and good citizenship.

    In its endeavour to teach and prepare teachers for the modern world and produce intellectuals who can relate their Islam to modern day challenges the Institute aims to:

    • Serve as a think tank in the field of Islamic education, culture and knowledge.
    • Formulate a comprehensive Islamic vision and methodology that will help Muslim scholars in their critical analysis of contemporary knowledge.
    • Develop an appropriate methodology for understanding the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet.
    • Develop an appropriate methodology for dealing with Islamic legacy and contemporary knowledge, in order to draw on the experiences of both past and present, to build a better future for the Ummah and humanity at large.
    • Develop an appropriate methodology for understanding and dealing with the present situation of both the Ummah and the world in general, and the field of education in particular, in view of contemporary challenges and opportunities.

    The Institute seeks to achieve its objectives by: Teaching, training of teachers, publication of text books.

    Supporting researchers and scholars in universities and research centers, and publishing selected scholarly, cultural and intellectual works, in English, Arabic and several other languages.

    Directing research and studies to develop Islamic thought.

    Holding specialized scholarly, intellectual and cultural conferences, seminars and study circles.

    The lead papers delivered at the conference.

    The Muslim Universities and the Challenges of Integration Model: A Case study of Nigeria by Professor M.A. Bidmos of the University of Lagos.

    Rooting in Higher Education: Reality and Challenges by Dr Rehab Abdul Rahman Al Shareef of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sudan.

    The Concept of Epistemological Integration: It’s Relevance to Reform of Higher Education by Prof. Fathi Hasan Malkawi International Institute of Islamic Thought, Jordan.

    Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences in IIUM: A Successful Story of Integration of Islamic and Human Sciences by Prof. Rahman Ahmad H. Osman, Deputy Rector (Research and Innovation), International Islamic University, Malaysia.

     

    Closing program

    At the end of the conference, the Coordinator, IIIT Southwest Nigeria Dr Abdullah Jibril Oyekan gave a vote of thanks with appreciation and this was followed by the issuance of a Communiqué which contents may be published in this column very soon.

     

  • NFC partners NIPSS for creative industry conference

    NFC partners NIPSS for creative industry conference

    The Nigerian Film Corporation and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies have pooled their resources together for a conference on the Nigerian film and creative industry.

    This, according to both bodies, is to enable the Federal Government place an enduring policy framework that will engender its growth and development.

    The two agencies of government on Monday, September 25, inaugurated the Joint Committee for the organisation of the Think Tank Conference.

    At the inauguration of the Joint Committee which took place at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, both agencies of government expressed their desire and commitment towards the hosting of a successful conference.

    While the NFC has the mandate to develop the Nigerian film industry, NIPSS has the mandate to develop Policy and Strategic roadmap for the nation.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the joint committee, NIPSS’ acting Director General, Jonathan Mela Juma, mni commended NFC for taking up the initiative on the Film and Creative Think Thank Project.

    Juma described the entire project as that which will further signpost the film and creative industry of Nigeria as alternative investment portfolio in Nigeria. He assured that NIPSS will ensure that the project is successful by leveraging on the goodwill of its strategic partners.

    Also speaking at the inauguration, NFC’s Managing Director, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe commended NIPSS for taking up the partnership with NFC to drive the Think Tank Conference.

    Represented by Brian Etuk, the Corporation’s Head of Public Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs, NFC he said, was determined to assist government transform Nigeria’s film and creative industry into an economy, with robust tendencies to generate employment and create wealth.

    The Committee Members drawn from NFC and NIPSS are Professor Habu Galadima (Chairman), Dr. Sola Adeyanju (Secretary), Dr. Musa Umar, Dr. Jacob Tsado, Bawa Ahmed, John Mfon (Vice Chairman), Eunice Ochoga, Edmund Peters, Brian Etuk, as well as Hannatu Danjuma (Asst. Secretary).

    The Committee is expected to among other things, put the modalities in place for the realization of the conference, including the time, date and venue of the Conference.

  • PaxHerbals to hold conference on traditional medicine

    PaxHerbals to hold conference on traditional medicine

    The management of PaxHerbals Clinic and Research Laboratories in collaboration with its subsidiary Ofure (Pax) Integral Research and Development Initiative (OFIRDI) is organising an international conference on indigenous traditional knowledge.

    According to the convener, Rev Father Anselm Adodo it will hold between October 5 and 6 at Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos.

    It has as theme: The contribution of indigenous knowledge in stimulating integral development in Nigeria and Africa.

    Partnering PaxHerbal are: Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, and Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.    The organisers said conference aimed at bringing together researchers, scientists, research scholars, entrepreneurs, health care practitioners and health technologists to discuss, exchange and share their experiences and research results in all aspects of indigenous knowledge in health care and health policy, traditional medicine research and practice, community development, local innovations in agriculture, biodiversity, solar technology and business enterprise.

    The organisers also said there was an urgent need to examine approaches to education, healthcare, technologies, enterprise, agriculture and development in the country, and propose new methodologies, new approaches and new action plans.

    The common thread weaving these diverse topics together is the need to stimulate integral development in Nigeria and in Africa.

    They added that as such, the conference would focuse on applying trans-disciplinary approach to  development issues that have  impeded rather sustainable development.

     

  • SCGN holds 10th annual conference on Wednesday

    SCGN holds 10th annual conference on Wednesday

    The 10th annual conference of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria will hold on Wednesday, September 27. The theme  is ‘Institutionalisation of Corporate Governance as a tool for National Economic Development.’

    Its Director, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, said the theme will x-ray the practice of corporate governance in public and private sectors, its impact on businesses, and economic development.

    He added that corporate governance and economic development are interdependent, yet intertwined through the process of economic reforms, noting that effective corporate governance mechanisms promote the development of strong financial systems.

    This year’s conference will have as its main speaker, Professor Mervyn King, chairman, King Committee on Corporate Governance, a body that produced the King’s Code I, King II, King III and King IV in South Africa.

    King, a Senior Counsel (Silk), and former Justice of the Supreme Court of South Africa, is expected to share his insight in corporate governance.

    The conference, to be chaired by Mr. Pascal Dozie, is expected to attract captains of industries, chairmen and directors of boards, company secretaries, members of the diplomatic corps, regulators and other stakeholders.

    It will also provide a platform for investors and government officials to deliberate on business opportunities despite economic challenges.

    “Corporate Governance has gone from a good-to-have system to a must-have. It defines the health, growth and sustainability of the enterprise. Over the years, the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, a non-profit organisation, has continued to deploy its resources to enhance knowledge and the practice of corporate governance best practices and ethics in Nigeria, through research and publications on the subject of corporate governance, intensive learning programmes for board chairmen and directors, seminars and breakfast meetings; and legislative advocacy in the field.

    ‘’Fellows and members of the society have played one role or the other in the issuance of most of the existing codes of corporate governance in Nigeria, starting from the pioneer Code of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the chairmanship of Mr Atedo Peterside; and the Nigerian Communications Commission Code under the chairmanship of Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, among other codes,” a statement from the society read.

  • Fountain Varsity, IIIT hold Islamic conference

    Fountain Varsity, IIIT hold Islamic conference

    The Islamic educational institution, the Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State is organising the fourth International Islamic Universities Conference in collaboration with an International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) between October 7 and 9 to improve standard of education in the country.

    Addressing reporters at the university’s Eti-Osa Hall, the vice chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Lateef Usman, said the theme of the conference is “Islamic Universities: Integration of Knowledge and Sustainability.”

    He said the conference, which will hold on the university campus in Osogbo, will attract scholars from different countries.

    Prof. Usman said the theme of the conference is: Islamic Universities: Integration of Knowledge and Sustainability.

  • Osinbajo, others for Niger Delta conference today

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will today lead other Federal Government’s delegation to Ondo State for the Niger Delta Summit.

    The conference, with the theme: Fast-tracking the Development and Peace in the Niger Delta Region, is being hosted by Ondo State government in conjunction with the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.

    Also expected at the summit, which will hold at the International Events Centre, Akure, the state capital, are: the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, with representatives of the nine oil-producing states and other relevant stakeholders.

    Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is expected to lead the state’s delegates as the host.

    Crucial policy decisions are to be taken on uninterrupted productivity and other relevant operations in the nation’s Oil sector.

  • National conference on farmers/herdsmen crisis holds tomorrow

    The Federal Government has said it will hold a national conference tomorrow as part of efforts to provide sustainable solution to the lingering crisis between farmers and the herdsmen.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh at a news briefing at the weekend in Abuja said the planned stakeholders’ conference was to transform the nation’s livestock industry.

    He said the crisis has led to loss of lives, destruction of properties as well as crops, adding that there was need for pastoralists to embrace modern cattle breeding methods to foster better productivity, increase profit and put a stop to the reoccurring conflicts.

    Ogbeh said: “Nasty articles and hate speeches won’t solve our problems. There is no point spoiling the atmosphere with toxic thought and violent opinions. We will all pay for it down the road. It’s about talking sensibly what did we do? How did we get here and why was livestock neglected? That’s what we will be discussing on Tuesday.

    “We are going to discuss issues that affect livestock and about 450 grazing reserves that existed before, which have vanished and grazing routes that existed. Abuja was a route before. Meat preservation and availability will be discussed and at the end of the programme, I am assuring you that all the problems will have been solved such that our neighbouring countries will tap from the success achieved.”

  • AFRIMA heads to Moshito Music Conference

    AFRIMA heads to Moshito Music Conference

    The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is set to feature at the 2017 Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    To be held from September 6 to 9 at the Main Auditorium, New Music Factory, the conference and exhibition aims to connect business and music to promote culture and economic growth

    Representing AFRIMA at the 14th edition of the conference is Associate Producer, AFRIMA, Ms. Adenrele Niyi who will be speaking during the plenary session under the theme, “Scooping that Award: The Art of Hustle”.

    Chairperson of Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, Dr. Sipho Sithole, explained that the first-rate South African music event brings together music industry executives, musicians, festival promoters, booking agents, music managers and exhibitors from over 16 international markets to collaborate and have a conversation on the structure and systems in the music industry in Africa.

    Niyi is expected to share insights with the panel and participants on her experience and expertise gleaned from years of project managing and producing the continent’s biggest awards event. Over 70 other panelists would also help navigate the discourses in its breakaway sessions, plenaries and workshops.

    Speaking about the scheduled participation of AFRIMA at the conference, Ms. Niyi said the awards event was excited to be part of Moshito 2017.

    “We can’t be more hyped about the opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking as presented on the conference platform. But more importantly, the internal revolution conversations like these stir as aftermath for Africa’s music and culture landscape are the real gains. Simply put, in AFRIMA we subscribe to an open flow of dialogue among every stakeholder: the creators, the market, the policy makers and trend determinants”. The conference is aimed at connecting business and music to promote culture and economic growth,” she said.

    Moshito 2017 will open with a gala night and concert, which will be followed by two days of conferencing and exhibition. There will also be the ‘Rhythm of the Ancients Concert’ at the Soweto Theatre.

  • Fed Govt plans audience measurement conference

    The Federal Government is to organise an audience measurement conference to provide the broadcast industry stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to efforts at establishing a scientific audience measurement system for the country.

    Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this at the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) third International Summit on Digital Broadcasting in Nigeria in Lagos. He said the conference would hold in October 3.

    “It is imperative that we urgently put in place an industry framework that will ensure that Content Producers receive their just due for the value of the Content they create, as well as provide objective guarantees to the Advertising community on their Return-On-Investment on media placements. This will then have the overall effect of guaranteeing greater spending by the Advertisers, who are all seeking to grow their market share.

    “This industry framework can only happen if the Ministry of Information and Culture, which, fortunately, supervises both the

    Broadcasting and Advertising industries, serves as a catalyst for putting in place a robust Audience Measurement System that is in line with global standards and supports the realisation of the immense potential that the Nigerian Creative and Entertainment industryholds,” he said.

    Mohammed said for the Digital Switch Over from analogue to digital television to be sustained for Signal Distributors, Channel owners, TV Content Producers and Advertisers, the scientific Audience Measurement System is critical to articulate the value of the content to Consumers, as well as the value of the Audience to Advertisers,particularly in the television sector.

    He said lack of a scientific Audience Measurement System has resulted in under-investment in the sector, which is necessary to foster the growth of the industry, as the Advertising community continues to relyon subjective factors when making decisions on the content they want,as opposed to how many viewers the content truly attracts.

    The Minister said as a consequence, television platforms are subjected to renting out space on their Channels to sustain their businesses and content producers have become over-reliant on sponsorship, which, unfortunately, skews the authenticity of their creative output in favour of a few decision makers and not the millions of TV viewers.

    “Further, the value of Nigeria’s Broadcasting Advertising Market is not proportionate with its population when compared to the Top 3 Markets in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Despite having a population three times more than South Africa, Nigeria’s Television Advertising Revenue last year, at US$309million, was behind that of South Africa, atUS$1,301million.

    “By 2020, the gap between South Africa and Nigeria is projected tomarginally decline to 72 per cent. Similarly, in the Radio sector, the valueof Nigeria’s 2016 Advertising Revenue of US$81million was behind its peers,South Africa and Kenya, both at US$343million. Kenya is projected to overtake South Africa in 2017 as the leading Radio Advertising market,” he said.

    Mohammed stressed that in both South Africa and Kenya, the value and growth rate of the Broadcasting Advertising Revenue is largely influenced by the availability of a scientific Audience Measurement  System that provides confidence to Advertisers in measuring their return-on-investment.

    He noted that bringing Nigerian TV advertisement market into line with benchmarks that is two to three times the current size could result in additional $200-$400million of revenue to the industry, based on current comparisons with other African countries.

    The Minister said the Federal Government had already taken a critical long-term decision to support the Nigeria creative and entertainment industry by ensuring and funding the inclusion of a middle-ware that is capable of scientific Audience Measurement on set-top boxes, hencethe need to develop the framework.

    “The existing model will never enable the Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry to reach its full potential. It stunts the quality of the content that can be created and it also limits the capacity of Television platforms to invest in dynamic offerings that consumers will be attracted to,” he noted