Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has said that the mobile telecommunications ecosystem currently contributes over $10 billion in value added to the Nigerian economy yearly. He noted that ICT is the only sector that has recorded a positive growth in the first quarter of this year.
Shittu said that with the upsurge in telephone density cutting across the technology platforms, the telecoms industry has enabled other industries and growth strategies to the Nigerian economy and society.
“ICT is the only sector that has recorded a positive growth of about 10 per cent in the first quarter of this year and it has become a major contributor to the nation’s GDP,” he said.
Delivering a keynote address on the theme, “Mobility, Technology and the Nigerian Economy” at the 2016 Information Communication Technology and Telecommunication Expo (2016 ICTEL) organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lagos, he said the Smart Digital Nigeria project is a suitable ICT platform for diversification of the Nigerian economy.
He said that mobile services have the potential to enable Nigerians benefit from the exchange of information for business and social needs for increase productivity.
The minister said the global quest for ICT for development is enormous to both developed and developing countries because ICT skills are critical to the success of enhancing national development in a globalised era.
“In this regard, our government is focused on creating opportunities for citizenship participation in ICT training, knowledge and skills acquisition, and general application and usage of ICT tools to solve problems, promote their wellbeing and enhance national growth,” he added.
“No doubt, with the dwindling revenue from the Oil and Gas sector, the Federal Government has realised more than ever before that Telecommunication and ICT are amongst the main drivers for the social and economic development of Nigeria and play a vital role in enhancing access to basic services in all sectors of our national life”.
Charging the organisers of the event, the minister said, “I want to enjoin the President of LCCI, our tireless and quintessential Mother, Dr (Mrs) Nike Akande, to continue to connect businesses and create opportunities for Nigerians in the ICT sector as the nation strives to diversify its economy from the non oil sector”.
