Jumai Ahmadu’s scientific contributions

The primary objective of this paper is to examine how government policies can promote digital inclusion and equity across the United States of America. It emphasizes the need for strategic interventions to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all segments of society can benefit from technological advancements. The paper underscores the role of government in providing infrastructure, education, and regulatory frameworks that support digital access and literacy. Central to the paper is the exploration of various policy measures and their impact on digital inclusion. It analyzes successful initiatives such as national broadband strategies, digital literacy programs, and subsidies for low-income households. The paper discusses how these policies can be tailored to address the specific needs of marginalized communities, including rural populations, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The concept paper delves into theoretical models of digital inclusion, such as the Digital Divide Theory and the Capability Approach. It reviews these models to understand the multifaceted nature of digital exclusion and the socio-economic factors contributing to it. The paper also highlights the importance of a holistic approach that combines infrastructure development with digital skills training and public awareness campaigns. Addressing the practical challenges of promoting digital inclusion, the paper identifies issues such as budget constraints, rapid technological changes, and resistance to digital adoption. It proposes solutions including public-private partnerships, continuous policy evaluation, and targeted interventions for high-need areas. The paper emphasizes the need for collaboration between government, industry, and civil society to create a sustainable and inclusive digital environment. The anticipated outcomes of effective government policies include increased digital literacy, broader access to online services, and enhanced socio-economic opportunities for all citizens. These outcomes are expected to lead to greater social cohesion, economic growth, and improved quality of life. The paper argues that promoting digital inclusion is not only a matter of social justice but also a strategic imperative for national development. The paper provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing digital exclusion through government intervention. By implementing inclusive policies and fostering collaboration across sectors, The United States of America government can ensure that all its citizens are empowered to participate in the digital economy. The paper calls for ongoing research and practical efforts to refine and enhance digital inclusion strategies, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving technological landscape and societal needs. Keywords: Digital Access, Equity, Inclusion, USA.

In the evolving U.S. retail and manufacturing sectors, integrating digital tools into project management enhances efficiency, collaboration, and customer experiences. This framework provides a structured approach built on four key components: assessment, tool selection, change management, and continuous improvement. Organizations begin by evaluating current project management processes to identify gaps and digital enhancement opportunities. Selecting the right tools—such as project management software, collaboration platforms, and data analytics—ensures alignment with organizational goals. A phased implementation approach minimizes disruption and maximizes adoption. Effective change management, including stakeholder engagement and training, fosters a culture of digital transformation. Continuous evaluation establishes performance metrics, enabling adjustments to optimize tool effectiveness. By systematically assessing, selecting, and integrating digital tools while managing change and maintaining adaptability, organizations enhance project management capabilities. This framework drives innovation, streamlines processes, and strengthens customer focus, positioning businesses for success in a competitive landscape. Keywords: Framework, Digital Tools, Integration, Retail, Manufacturing, Project Management.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to Nigeria’s economy, driving employment, innovation, and growth. However, they face significant challenges such as limited technology access, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory barriers. This concept paper proposes a theoretical framework for empowering Nigerian SMEs through strategic technology adoption to enhance resilience and sustainable development. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, and the Resource-Based View (RBV), the framework examines factors influencing technology adoption. Key drivers include perceived usefulness, ease of use, cost, and accessibility, while barriers encompass financial constraints and regulatory complexities. The framework highlights government policies, financial incentives, and training programs as critical enablers of technology adoption. Technology adoption enhances SME resilience by improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding market reach through digital platforms and e-commerce. Policy recommendations include investing in ICT infrastructure, offering financial incentives, providing digital training, and streamlining regulations to foster innovation. Public-private partnerships and business incubators play a vital role in facilitating digital transformation. Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential to assess the impact of technology adoption on SME performance. Continuous feedback will ensure that initiatives remain effective and responsive to SME needs. This framework provides a roadmap for leveraging technology to strengthen Nigerian SMEs, fostering economic growth, and positioning them competitively in the digital global economy.

The concept paper provides a detailed analysis of how strategic policy frameworks can facilitate the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic and social development in Nigeria. This executive summary outlines the paper's key objectives, strategic frameworks, and anticipated outcomes, emphasizing the need for robust policies to harness the transformative power of AI. The primary objective of this paper is to identify and propose policy frameworks that can support the widespread adoption of AI across various sectors in Nigeria. It recognizes the potential of AI to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education, thereby significantly contributing to national development. The paper underscores the necessity for a structured approach to AI implementation, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the Nigerian context. Central to the paper is the exploration of policy frameworks that can facilitate AI adoption. It discusses the importance of establishing clear regulatory guidelines that ensure ethical AI use, protect data privacy, and promote transparency. The paper also highlights the need for policies that encourage investment in AI research and development, support startups and innovation hubs, and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors. The concept paper examines successful AI adoption models from other countries, drawing lessons that can be tailored to Nigeria's specific needs. It emphasizes the significance of creating a conducive environment for AI innovation, which includes investing in digital infrastructure, enhancing internet connectivity, and ensuring access to high-quality data. Moreover, it proposes the establishment of AI regulatory bodies to oversee the development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring they align with national priorities and ethical standards. Addressing the practical challenges of AI adoption, the paper highlights issues such as the digital divide, lack of skilled workforce, and potential job displacement. It proposes strategies to overcome these challenges, including implementing educational reforms to incorporate AI and digital literacy into the curriculum, providing incentives for continuous professional development, and promoting AI awareness and literacy among the general population. The anticipated outcomes of implementing robust AI policy frameworks include improved efficiency and productivity across various sectors, enhanced service delivery, and the creation of new economic opportunities. These outcomes are expected to drive sustainable economic growth, improve the quality of life, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global AI landscape. The paper provides a comprehensive roadmap for integrating AI into the national development agenda. By establishing robust policies, investing in infrastructure, and fostering a culture of innovation, Nigeria can successfully leverage AI to achieve significant socioeconomic progress. The paper calls for a collaborative effort from government, industry stakeholders, academia, and civil society to create an enabling environment for AI adoption and growth.

The concept paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework for creating and implementing ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. This executive summary encapsulates the paper's key objectives, theoretical underpinnings, and anticipated outcomes, emphasizing the need for ethical standards to guide the integration of advanced technologies in Nigeria. The primary objective of this paper is to develop a set of ethical guidelines that can ensure the responsible deployment of AI and digital technologies across various sectors in Nigeria. It highlights the importance of addressing ethical considerations to prevent potential misuse, biases, and unintended consequences that could arise from the rapid adoption of these technologies. The paper underscores the need for a balanced approach that maximizes the benefits of AI and digital transformation while safeguarding individual rights and societal values. Central to the paper is the exploration of ethical principles that should underpin AI and digital transformation initiatives. These principles include transparency, accountability, fairness, privacy, and inclusivity. The paper discusses the necessity of creating clear ethical standards that can guide the design, development, and deployment of AI systems, ensuring they are aligned with societal norms and legal frameworks. The concept paper draws on various theoretical models and international best practices to inform the development of ethical guidelines. It examines successful examples from other countries and industries, identifying key elements that can be adapted to the Nigerian context. The paper emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement in the process of developing ethical guidelines, including input from government, industry, academia, and civil society. Addressing the practical challenges of implementing ethical guidelines, the paper highlights issues such as the lack of regulatory frameworks, limited awareness of ethical considerations, and the rapid pace of technological advancements. It proposes strategies to overcome these challenges, including establishing regulatory bodies to oversee AI and digital transformation initiatives, incorporating ethics education into technical training programs, and promoting public awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of ethical technology use. The expected outcomes of developing and implementing ethical guidelines for AI and digital transformation include enhanced trust in technology, reduced risks of bias and discrimination, and improved alignment of technological advancements with societal values. These outcomes are anticipated to foster a more inclusive and equitable digital economy, contributing to sustainable development and social progress in Nigeria. The paper provides a strategic framework for ensuring the responsible use of advanced technologies. By establishing robust ethical guidelines, promoting stakeholder engagement, and addressing practical implementation challenges, Nigeria can leverage AI and digital transformation to achieve significant socioeconomic benefits while maintaining ethical integrity. The paper calls for collaborative efforts to create a supportive environment for ethical technology adoption, ensuring that technological progress contributes positively to society.

In today's competitive business landscape, optimizing workforce productivity is paramount for organizations striving to achieve operational excellence and maintain a competitive edge. This explores the significance of leveraging data-driven metrics to enhance workforce productivity, drawing insights from Agile teams' practices. The review discusses the importance of workforce productivity in today's business environment and highlights the role of data-driven metrics in achieving this goal. It provides an overview of Agile methodology and its relevance in improving productivity, emphasizing its principles of collaboration, adaptability, and iterative improvement. This delves into the concept of workforce productivity metrics, distinguishing between traditional and data-driven approaches. It identifies key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure productivity and discusses the challenges associated with measuring and interpreting these metrics effectively. Furthermore, the review outlines the application of Agile principles in project management and team collaboration, showcasing its benefits in enhancing productivity and efficiency. It emphasizes the importance of identifying relevant metrics for Agile teams, collecting and analyzing productivity data, and using data visualization techniques for insights and decision-making. Case studies of successful implementation, illustrating how Agile teams leverage data-driven insights to improve sprint planning, retrospectives, and overall project delivery. It discusses challenges such as resistance to change and data accuracy, along with best practices for overcoming them. Additionally, the abstract explores future trends and opportunities in workforce productivity measurement, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. It concludes by summarizing key insights and recommendations from Agile teams and offering final thoughts on the future of workforce productivity optimization through data-driven approaches.