Isa Ali Pantami

Isa Ali Pantami: Nigerian Professor, Islamic Scholar, and Former Minister **Early Life and Education** Isa Ali Ibrahim, widely known as Isa Ali Pantami, was born on October 20, 1972, in Pantami, Gombe State, Nigeria. He began his early education in Pantami and later attended the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) for a period before transferring to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, where he earned a B.Tech in Computer Science (2002) and an M.Sc. in Computer Science (2008). Pantami furthered his academic career by obtaining a PhD in Computer Information Systems from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 2013. He also holds advanced certificates in Digital Transformation and Management from Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Oxford. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Pantami began his career in academia, serving as a lecturer at ATBU. Following his postgraduate studies, he became an Assistant Professor at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he taught Computer Science for two years, making him the first Nigerian to teach in the university's history. His transition to public service began in 2016 when he was appointed the Director General and CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). During his tenure at NITDA, he initiated and implemented the IT roadmap for the nation, focusing on capacity building and regulatory excellence. In 2019, he was appointed as Nigeria's Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (later renamed Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy). As Minister, his major achievements include leading the development of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which served as the blueprint for the country's digital economy growth. He oversaw the increase in broadband penetration, the implementation of the National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage policy, and the sector's significant contribution to Nigeria’s GDP. He also pioneered policies aimed at diversifying the Nigerian economy through technology. **Notable Works** Beyond his public service and academic roles, Pantami is a prominent Islamic scholar, having delivered thousands of sermons and lectures on various religious and contemporary issues. He has authored several academic and non-academic publications, including books on topics related to digital economy, technology, and religious practice. His educational background in computer science, coupled with his Islamic scholarship, provided a unique foundation for his policy-making, particularly concerning technology and ethics. **Current Status** Following the conclusion of his term as Minister in May 2023, Isa Ali Pantami returned to academia. He holds the position of Professor of Cyber Security at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). He continues to engage in scholarly work, public speaking, and religious advocacy, maintaining a significant influence in both the technology and Islamic communities in Nigeria and globally.