Boosting local content in ICT sector benefits everyone, says Shittu

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu have expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with any group or stakeholder toward transforming the Information Communication Technology local content for rapid development of the sector.

The minister said this at the second Annual Local Content Roundtable and Technology Fair in Abuja.

The fair, which focused on home grown solutions to challenges confronting the ICT sector has “The Pathway to Sustainable Digital Transformation and Economic Growth” as its theme.

Shittu reiterated the commitment of the ministry to initiatives that would attract local and international investments
into the country, with a view to boosting development in the technology sector.

According to him, the private sector service providers and government have critical roles to play for local content programme to succeed in Nigeria.

He, however, said that while government would provide guaranteed order for the local products, the private sector must ensure quality services and products.

He added that “the Ministry of Communications is committed to the implementation of the local content programme and the executive order on local content.

“Local content does not mean excluding foreign participation in our economy. Rather, it means concerted and collaborative efforts by
all players to build a strong indigenous economy.

“For instance, the win-win formula plays out in a situation where the locally assembled computers must run on Microsoft operating
system and Intel processors.

“Therefore, for every locally assembled computer bought by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Microsoft and Intel
would be the key beneficiaries along with our own local original equipment manufacturers. Everyone benefits.”

He said that the ministry would soon issue directives to encourage MDAs to use emerging technologies and other platforms, noting that“I am happy to report that there has been an increase in patronage of locally-assembled ICT devices and services in Nigeria since
the inception of the present administration.”

The Lead Facilitator of the fair, Mr Inye Kemabonta, emphasised the need to take advantage of the enormous potential in the country
to create jobs and wealth.

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He said “Nigeria is a country with huge potential, but experts and policymakers have predicted that its development as a regional economic power, can only come from reliance on its own human and material resources.

“Opportunities for utilising and building indigenous human and technological capacity exist in all sectors of the economy.

“There is an urgent need, therefore, to take advantage of the opportunities and harness them for job and wealth creation, and for the overall growth of the country.”