The Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu says the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in governance will stimulate transparency, productivity, efficiency and timely operations in the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shittu was speaking at the 2016 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) with the theme: ”Creating opportunities for all Nigerians” in Lagos on Thursday.
Shittu, who was represented by Mrs Ibiye Memberr, the Assistant General Manager, Marketing, NIGCOMSAT, said that the ministry was committed to creating an enabling environment for interlinking individuals and government.
“We will ensure that the industry keeps abreast of technologies of the future and upwardly migrate when the need arises.
“Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) and Internet Protocol Version 6(IPv6) are forward looking solutions for the country.
“The U.S., Europe, China, Taiwan, Korea are embracing these innovative technologies and Nigeria cannot be left behind.
“It is our duty to lower the barriers to digitisation and increase participation of Nigerian companies in the sector, this will not only improve our ICT status but also stimulate job creation.”
Similarly, Prof. Umaru Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), said that mobile broadband remained the fastest growing telecommunication market segment with double-digit growth.
Danbatta, who was represented by Mr Oluwatoyin Asaju, the Deputy Director, Spectrum Administration, NCC said to facilitate access to internet, there was need to abide by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) target of 2015.
He listed some of the targets as making broadband policy universal, making broadband available in developing countries, connecting homes to broadband and getting people online.
Danbatta said that to achieve the target, the country should follow some steps such as licensing of infrastructure companies, auctioning of 2.6HGz spectrum, fibre connectivity of internet exchange point.
He said that the Nigeria has the largest and fastest investment potential with its growing telecommunication market in Africa “and the sector is most resilient in the country”.
According to him, the areas of investment are infrastructure, manufacturing and assembling of telecommunications equipment, broadband and multimedia, satellite services opportunities in rural area, among others.
The President of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Adesola Aderunmu said that the availability of internet was a total solution for job and wealth creation.
“If internet is made available even in schools, it will make the students to be self-reliant, even before graduating because some of them will create apps that will aid businesses,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Nkemdilim Nweke, the Executive Director, Operations, DigitalSENSE Africa Media said that the forum was focused on addressing ICT problems with particular reference to computing, internet governance-related issues.
“This forum will help to further advance Nigeria in the ever-rapidly advancing phenomenon of global ICT,” she said.
She, therefore, urged government to make telecoms infrastructure a Critical National Resource as this would protect online jobs and businesses. (NAN)