ICT will continue to propel Nigeria’s Economy

The Covid-19 pandemic and Nigeria’s demographic has ensured that Nigeria continues to be at the forefront of venture innovation and investment across Africa in its Economy.

Member, Computer Professionals of Nigeria, Niyi Gbodimowo, disclosed this while speaking on the Information and Communications Technology Sector of the nations Economy.

Mr Gbodimowo said the Covid-19 pandemic when it happened opened doors of opportunities to a lot of Nigerians especially the young and the young at heart to technological innovations which have since become the mainstay of the nations Economy.

He added that the Contribution of the Sector will continue to rise in the years to come because the nations’ demographics which is tilted towards the Youth supports it.

He said Nigeria will continue to be in the scheme of things especially in the technology sector with Nigeria now on of the top destinations for venture investments across the world.

He said most industries including the traditional ones are also looking into how to leverage on the advantage that Information and Communications Technology can bring.

According to him, the fact Nigerians especially the Youth are also working to be a part of the trend and not be left behind has made the nation the hub of innovation in the Technology Sector with companies growing fast and becoming Multi Million and Multi Billion Dollar entities in some cases.

He disclosed that the compensation and general development tech, capacity and money is generally higher than in other Sectors has also served as a magnet to attract more hands and investment making into the Sector.

On the impact the 5G Technology will have on Nigeria, he said the changes in the next few years will make the World almost unrecognisable in 5 years time especially Artificial Intelligence.

He added that Nigerians are doing a lot of great things in the Technology Sector with just the creation of an enabling environment for them to thrive more.

According to Mr Gbodimowo, young Nigerians have continued to and will continue to make great impact in the Sector because of the great STEM Core from the Secondary Schools and Tertiary institutions.

He said Nigeria possess some unique advantage to be the Leader in the sector in Africa with the right support.

The right support according to him includes the creation of an institute within the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, called the National Centre for AI and Robotics with the sole focus on AI research and innovations in Nigeria.

He said people need to be aware that this kind of support exist in Nigeria and are able to take advantage of it.

On how the incoming administration of President Elect Bola Tinubu can leverage on this to create jobs and gainful employment for Nigerians according to his vow, He said the first step is to gauge what has been done before now.

He disclosed that the Information and Communications Sub Sector has witnessed tremendous innovations across the last 8 years that has led to the over 18 percent contribution to the Nigerian Economy.

He said this will continue to grow especially with the Ministry of Communications Technology and Digital Economy at the forefront and agencies like NITDA also contributing their own quota.

He said the impact of NIMC, NCC within the Sector has also registered just a little less than 100 Million people is a game changer which shows that Nigerians for the first time have a clear identity.

He urged the incoming administration of President Elect, Bola Tinubu, to consolidate on the last 8 years of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the ICT Sector.

He urged him to ensure that the policy around the start up act which has just been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari is clear cut enough to drive development, Economic Empowerment and National Sustainability.