ABUJA – (Federal Ministry of Communications Report) – As part of efforts to boost non-oil revenue for a more vibrant economy, President Muhammadu Buhari has charged relevant Government Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals to proffer innovative ideas that would create enabling environment for making Nigeria an ICT hub and exporter of ICT products in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the charge on Monday November 5, 2018 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja while addressing participants at the e-Nigeria 2018 Conference with the theme: “Practicing Digital Economy in an Era of Disruptive Technologies through Effective Regulations.”
The President, who described the theme of the programme as apt, reiterated his administration’s commitment to building on policies and actions that would reposition Nigeria to take its pride of place in the comity of nations, especially in the area of technology. According to him, this administration’s commitment towards delivering good governance and development of the people is as strong and ever. He added that the huge role which ICT is playing in the country has recorded huge success in the last three and a half years.
Buhari commended the efforts of the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) at organizing a registration as well as certification process for all equipment manufacturers to ensure adherence to rules, standards and quality for durable devices in the ICT sector.
In his address delivered at the occasion, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu (Dr) said that the Federal Ministry of Communications has deployed six strategic policies and plans which are designed to strengthen the nation’s economy. He mentioned that the policies and plans include: National ICT Policy, National Broadband Plan, National ICT Roadmap, National e-Government Master Plan, National Addressing System and Local Content Policy.
Adebayo Shittu implied that the impact of ICT is felt in virtually every area of human endeavor, saying countries are taking advantage of disruptive technologies to transform their economies which make it expedient for Nigerians to be key players in the emerging digital economy.
