Partnerships between Nigeria, others with similar growth experiences basic—Minister
The Minister of Communications, Barr Adebayo Shittu has stressed that Nigeria is ready to partner with nations and economies with similar growth experiences in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Speaking in his Keynote address at the just concluded Indo -Africa ICT Expo 2018 organized in Lagos, he said “Partnerships and collaborations in the area of ICT between countries with similar growth experiences is most welcomed especially now that ICT and Telecoms export services have been identified as the pillars of accelerated development in all aspects of a country’s strive to improve lives and service delivery”.
According to him, “The world is experiencing a shift from the traditional ways of doing things to a more ICT-driven approach where organizations and governments are forced to use technology to shape policies. You will agree with me that the existence of technological advancements is evident enough that the fourth industrial revolution is upon us. This is why the Government has taken ICT strategic roadmap very seriously. We can see that the Nigerian ICT and telecom industry is on the match. With the current efforts of the Buhari Administration at substantially reforming and commercializing the sector most especially NIPOST and NIGCOMSAT, there is no limit to how far nations can go in developing their socio economic conditions.
With the theme; ‘One world, one platform: technologies that transform,’ organizers of the summit said the event is structured to proffer practical steps and solutions that will assist the relevant MDAs in formulating a robust roadmap towards a workable partnership in fostering Local ICT Content among some of our development partners.
The minister assured that “Nigerian Government, in collaboration with the India Government, is set to forge closer relationship in order to accelerate Information Communication and Technology (ICT) growth in the country as well as boost the two countries’ economies”.
Continuing, Shittu recalled that India has a comparative advantage in the ICT sector which, I believe Nigeria can benefit hugely from, saying “With the existence of several high profile ICT companies from India, Nigeria entrepreneurs and star-ups can tap into the abundance of technological knowledge to boost their business knowhow”.
“Government has expressed optimism that ICT remains the key tool that would help the country achieve the transformation she desires. Consequently, Nigeria’s drive to transforming the sector is predicated on ICT Strategic Roadmap, e-Government Master Plan and the national Broadband Plan. We very strongly believe that our local entrepreneurs and start-ups will demonstrate their business acumen. They have the talent and the creativity and all it takes to make the kind of difference that can be done in the sector.
He noted that his ministry will continue to adapt to changes that innovation in technology brings.
