The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry in Nigeria Roadmap by Mrs Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology - (2)

 >> Continued  from Minster's presentation on the ICT Industry Roadmap (1) .. In the area of Software development, the Ministry intends to raise awareness and strengthen the implementation of intellectual property laws and set up digital havens/ICT parks that are provided with fast broadband, access and skill development opportunities. Market research and R&D efforts will also be promoted to ensure software development is geared towards real needs. Demand for software will be stimulated through of the promotion of egovernment and mgovernment requirements and solutions.

On The ministry has chosen Call Centre Operations as a priority to foster broadening and deepening of ICT infrastructure, while domestic call centre growth will be facilitated through the creation of government information services.
Device Assembly, Sales and Distribution should be grown to meet demand in Nigeria and West Africa. The Minister asserted that while markets locally produced devices will be promoted, the Ministry will not promote a policy of protectionism. Furthermore, the ministry plans to provide incentives to attract major global manufacturers to invest in Nigeria.
To boost Value Added Services, a legal framework will be established to address information security and tackle cybercrime as well as the promotion of training and capacity building. In addition the Minister announced that ICT cadre will be deployed to all ministries to improve quality and value delivery to government.
In addition, the Ministry intends to improve Access provision by subsidizing / incentivizing provision of access to the rural areas. According to the Minister since there are post offices all over the country, postal locations can be used as ICT access points to link rural areas. Access provision will also be improved through the increased adoption of ICTs by the Nigerian population, especially through egovernment and the promotion of online activities.

According to the Minister, she will be working with other ministries such as Ministry of Works and Ministry of Environment to create an investor and business friendly environment. An enabling environment is required to ensure the proposed interventions are effective. In this regard, Mrs. Johnson told the stakeholders that legislation that supports the digital economy and the information society will be promoted. Stressing the need to collaborate and partner with other countries that have used ICT for development, she stated that the Ministry will work with ICT stakeholders who engage with such countries. Using the examples of China and India, the strategy should be to work with those who want to take advantage of the Nigerian market while deepening skills. The focus should be on growing Nigeria’s ICT industry by partnering with other countries on a level playing field. The Ministry will create and maintain frameworks for such relationships.

Next the Minister looked at key statistics expected for the Nigerian Digital Economy in 2015. Through these interventions, the Ministry hopes to create an industry that is less fragmented and more representative by 2015. New target levels expected are as follows: Broadband penetration (12%), ICT Contribution to GDP (5%), Internet penetration (34%), Mobile penetration (80 per 100), Internet users (70 million), Number of registered ICT companies (350). The achievement of these targets will lead to tremendous progress in the industry.

To achieve this target levels, she announced the immediate priorities which are: harmonizing the Telecoms policy and the National ICT policy to come up with one single policy; Accelerating rollout of broadband infrastructure; Increasing the online presence of Nigerian companies and organizations; Beginning the process of implementing eGovernment and mGovernment requirements; Creating ICT Cadre in all ministries to ensure quality and value driven services in government; Refocusing and strengthening agencies and parastatals under the supervision of the Ministry.

She then listed the institutions supervised by the Ministry and their responsibilities as follows:
NCC - ICT industry regulation;
NITDA - IT industry support and development;
NIPOST - Postal service delivery and access infrastructure;
Galaxy Backbone - ICT infrastructure provision for Federal Government and its agencies;
NIGCOMSAT - Commercialisation of Government’s satellite resources;
USPF and NITDF - Managed fund to incentivize universal access;
NFMC - Prudent and co-ordinated allocation of frequency resources;
Ministry of Communication Technology - Policy formulation, Policy impact assessment, Supervision and oversight of all MDA ICT related projects and initiatives.

In conclusion, Mrs. Omobola Johnson zeroed in on the expected role of the private sector. She stressed the need for increased participation of Nigerian companies in the ICT industry. There is a need for more collaborations and partnerships with Nigerian companies and international organizations in the area of ICT. She further noted that the private sector needs to invest in the ICT industry and also invest in developing skills and local talent in ICT.
The Minister’s presentation was well received with a standing ovation.  

 >> Continued  from Minister's presentation on the ICT Industry Roadmap (1)

>> ICT stakeholders Engagement Interactive Session and Comments

>> More - Closing the empowerment gap