Internet Group Tasks FG To On ICT Research Fund

The President, Nigeria
Internet Group (NIG), Mr Bayo Banjo, has urged the Federal Government to establish a research fund for the development of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
He told newsmen in Lagos that the fund would support local technologists and savvy ICT individuals to improve and commercialise their works.
“Nigeria should establish a national science foundation, a national science technology innovation fund or a national research fund for research and development,’’ he said.
Banjo said the Federal Government should institute the fund so that all sectors of ICT such as hardware engineering and software development would benefit from it.
“The government and the private sector, which are involved in sponsoring tertiary institutions, should also ensure that all ICT institutions are better funded.’’
Banjo also urged all ICT institutions in the country to provide well-equipped laboratories and ensure that only qualified lecturers were employed.
“This can only happen if the Federal Government shows the political will to invest more in science and technology and ICT,” he said.
He urged the government and stakeholders to organise workshops, seminars and exhibitions to showcase the country’s potential in technological development to the world as well as improve the profitability of local ICT products.
Banjo said many ICT gadgets, applications and innovations could be more efficient if their local contents were well-developed.
“The locally-made gadgets, applications and innovations may be a little rough around the edges at first, but with the right support from government and stakeholders, they can be perfected and made to international standard for export,” he said.