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Developing Nigeria’s ICT Sector For Economic Growth

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By most accounts, a virile and well-developed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry will invariably create jobs and stimulate the development of a country’s economy.

Such sentiments are quite logical, as ICT is globally recognised as a tool of national development and planning.

This is because the economic survival of any country in the information age of the 21st Century civilisation is somewhat contingent on its access to ICT and information networks.

Mr Osaze Omoragbon, a consultant on ICT, stressed that access to relevant information and technologies would surely provoke the transformation of industries, formal and informal sectors, defence, education and financial services, among others, in a country.

“The economies of developed countries are underpinned by ICT, even as it takes the front row in the development agenda of emerging market economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“These countries have built their economic development models around ICT,’’ he said.

Omoragbon, however, conceded that Nigeria and several other developing countries were striving to develop their economies via ICT.

In recognition of the invaluable contributions of ICT to national development, the Federal Government established the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on May 24, 2001.

The agency, which is currently a parastatal agency of the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, is saddled with the task of bridging the digital divide and repositioning Nigeria as a major player in the ICT world.

NITDA is also mandated to ensure the empowerment of the entire citizenry via Information Technology (IT), while stimulating the development of a critical mass of ICT-proficient and competitive manpower.

Since its establishment, NITDA has been initiating some measures to enhance ICT development in Nigeria and implement the government’s plans for the sector.

It has set up Rural Information Technology Centres (RITCs) as reliable vehicles for expanding public access to ICT services, particularly in the rural communities.

Through these centres, NITDA intends to provide ICT services, including Internet access, to communities in all the local governments of the country.

Prof. Cleopas Angaye, the Director-General of NITDA, said that about 250 RITCs had so far been established, adding that more than 60 RITCs were established in 2012 alone.

As part of efforts to increase Internet access and monitor online traffic in the country, Angaye said that NITDA had inaugurated its second Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in Port Harcourt.

He, however, stressed that the agency was planning to establish IXPs in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The director-general said that work on the Lagos IXP project was still ongoing, adding that the Lagos Higher Education Connectivity Project (LHECP), a multi-institutional project, was initiated by University of Lagos in partnership with the Lagos IXP.

Angaye said that the IXP programme was aimed at improving local Internet services and expanding the people’s access to quality ICT services at affordable costs.

However, analysts are often tempted to ask questions about the importance of current investments in ICT infrastructure to the country’s socio-economic development.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveal that in the first quarter of 2012, the ICT sector made a 5.83 per cent contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

By implication, the ICT sector is the fourth largest contributor to the country’s GDP and the sector has been identified as the fastest growing sector in the Nigerian economy.

The sector has a 30-per-cent growth rate and it is employing more than two million people.

Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi, while inaugurating a RITC in Ejuku, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi, noted that the RITCs would spur development at the grassroots, while providing more jobs.

As part of designed efforts to strengthen ICT’s input to national development, the Ministry of Communications Technology, through NITDA, is also collaborating with local computer assembling firms, banks and ICT companies to provide computers for all students in tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said that the initial phase of the scheme would start with 12 universities across the country’s six geo-political zones.

She gave the assurance that the project would soon be extended to all tertiary institutions across the country because of its importance to the country’s socio-economic development.

Alhaji Ma’sud Elelu, the Rector of Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin, whose institution received 15 computers, commended the government for the programme.

He pledged that the polytechnic would strive to make meaningful contributions efforts to boost Nigeria’s technological advancement.

Observers have been appealing to NITDA to initiate pragmatic strategies to fast-track Nigeria’s economic growth via purposeful ICT initiatives.

However, Angaye said that the agency had initiated a special “train-the-trainer’’ programme in ICT for university lecturers so as to keep university students abreast with current trends in the ICT world.

“The goal of the scheme, under which no fewer than 74 institutions has benefited, is to equip tertiary institutions with basic ICT tools and facilities that will enhance global competitiveness of Nigerian graduates.

“The policy, when eventually launched, will provide the much-needed impetus for the rapid development of the software industry in Nigeria.

“NITDA is also involved in various initiatives, including the development of National Software Policy, which is now awaiting the Federal Government’s approval.

“We believe that the enabling environment and regulatory framework provided by the policy will provide the needed incentive for the innovative skills of the youthful Nigeria population,’’ he said.

All the same, the stakeholders urge NITDA to sustain its proactive measures aimed at transforming the ICT sector.

They note that the benefits of the sector’s development include creation of employment, reduction of the cost of running businesses and boosting investors’ confidence in the country.

Oloniruha writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 

Emmanuel Oloniruha

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NCC Assures Safe, Accessible Digital Space

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians of accessible, resilient and safe digital space in the nation’s digital economy.
The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Rimini Makama, gave the assurance at the NCC’s Digital Economy Sensitisation Forum, with the theme, “Leaving No One Behind: Digital Access, Equity and Empowerment” in Abuja.
Makama said that the commission remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s national telecommunications infrastructure remained resilient, accessible and secure.
“Digital empoScientists Advocate Shared Responsibility To Boost Food Securitywerment must be inclusive. Without inclusion and equity, the benefits of the digital economy will remain unevenly distributed.
“The commission, through its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and other initiatives, is actively extending digital opportunities to the unserved, underserved, physically challenged and vulnerable groups through several impactful programmes,” he said.
The Publicity Expert for the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr Nihinlola Fefa, said that the association had been an advocate of cyber security awareness and sensitisation over the years.
“ATCON has been a very key stakeholder in the ICT and telecom industry. We have always advocated for cybersecurity awareness and sensitisation.
“We have been giving our own input over the years. We interface with all the telecom companies. We do a lot of studies, and we also give our contributions in so many ways,” she said.
She commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for deploying technology into rural communities.
According to her, though Nigeria is doing well in the area of cybersecurity, there is room for improvement.
“We are in a good position right now and we can do better from the government side,” she said.
Also speaking, the Head, IT and Cybersecurity, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Olorunisomo Isola, said that the commission had rolled out the necessary framework.

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Expert Tasks Nigerians On AI

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An economist, Dr Chinedu Amadi, has urged Nigerians to leverage the opportunities inherent in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become competitive in the global business and social spaces.
Amadi, who is also the President, Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC), gave the urge during an interview with newsmen , in Abuja, Monday.
Amadi noted that humanity has always advanced by expanding its intelligence and capabilities through technology across different eras pointing out that AI now drives economic systems, social interactions and competitive advantage among nations globally.
“The world is entering a phase where humans and intelligent machines will share cognitive functions, so Nigeria should innovate or risk being sidelined in the emerging global digital order.
“The next frontier extends beyond AI tools to a deeper relationship between human consciousness and machine intelligence. This phase has the dawn of shared human machine cognition shaping future innovation and development worldwide,” he said.
Amadi noted that countries like the U.S., Japan and China already integrated AI into national planning, logistics and defence operations.
He warned that a deeper wave of collaboration between humans and intelligent systems is rapidly emerging
urging Nigeria and other African nations not to remain passive observers in this technological transition.
“Nigeria must innovate urgently or risk missing another major industrial revolution. Future global leadership will favour nations that create, regulate and ethically manage advanced technologies,” he added.
He said that the youthful population is viewed as a potential cognitive economy capable of driving digital creativity.
He advised policymakers and institutions to develop indigenous technologies, reflecting national priorities and moral values.
The president, however, noted that energy and agricultural sector can gain efficiency through predictive AI and advanced computation, adding that governance can also benefit from digital systems that strengthen transparency and curb corruption.
While noting that neural interfaces and quantum processing would soon merge human thought with computationAmadi said that the evolution demands ethical guidance, empathy and deeper human conscience in education system.
According to him, nations worldwide are racing to regulate AI and Nigeria also needs to define its strategic position.
“The future beyond AI will favour societies that balance innovation with wisdom and uphold human dignity,” he said.

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NIGCOMSAT Expands Nigeria’s Digital Broadcast Subsector By 35%

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The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited says the country’s digital broadcast subsector  has expanded by 35 per cent to 75 per cent utilisation in two years.
This, it said, represented a milestone in the country’s digital transformation drive.
The Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, made the remark  at a retreat with the theme: ‘Aligning for the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainable Growth”, in Abuja, Monday.
According to her the theme reflects NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and positioning itself as a global satellite industry leader.
She said one of the notable achievements in its broadcast segment was the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, describing it as not just a technical milestone but also a national service.
“This growth is a testament to the organization’s improved service delivery and stronger engagement with partners and clients.
“The DSO project, a collaborative effort with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is a key milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“NIGCOMSAT’s contribution to the project is enabling digital broadcasting penetration across the federation, cementing the organisation’s position at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation,” she said.
Egerton-Idehen said the achievements were expected to drive revenue growth, with target of three billion naira in annual revenue and eight billion naira in revenue within three years adding that the organisation’s expansion of broadband services and private sector partnership was key to achieving the goals.
“We cannot move boldly into the future without addressing the weight of the past. Our debt profile — both financial and operational — is a reality we must confront with strategy, discipline, and creativity.
“These are our headwinds. We acknowledge them openly because honesty is the first step toward transformation.,” Egerton-Idehen said.
She said in spite of challenges such as economic barriers and competition, the organisation remained optimistic about the future.
“We must out-innovate the market, deepen partnerships, and build a culture of solution-focused, profit-driven, and people-centered excellence.”
“The key initiatives include transitioning to software-defined satellites, expanding broadband services, and the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator for the Space Ecosystem.
“The organisation is prioritising public-private partnerships, branding, and communication, as well as investing in its people,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Data Science Nigeria, Olubayo Adekanbi, said satellite-based economy could revolutionise key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, creating new job opportunities and increasing productivity.
“By providing internet access to remote areas, satellite technology can bridge the digital divide and ensure no one is left behind.

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