If the figures released recently by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that the Information and Communications Technology’s (ICT) contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 13.8% is anything to go by then it will more than double the Oil and Gas contribution of 8.8% (presently) in two years, according to the Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
The Minister spoke yesterday at the ongoing session of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU Telecom World 2019) in Budapest, Hungary.
As the leader of Nigerian delegation to the yearly event, Pantami said that the government wants to sustain the steady growth of ICT in the country hence the need to attend events like these, which will enable delegates network and get the best ideas “and when we return home we put all of them to work towards the development of our country”.
The Minister commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for successfully putting together Nigeria’s participation and told the delegates “to maximize the opportunity provided by the attendance by thinking global and acting locally.
“I want to thank the NCC for organizing Nigeria’s participation in this very important event. The effort is highly commendable. We hope the tempo will be sustained.
“I’ve been saying it and I’ll repeat it again that the future of the world is in the ICT. It is a privilege to be part and parcel of this sector and at the same time to be with the stakeholders of the ICT in Nigeria,” adding that “If you look at it critically, and most importantly the recent statistics released by the NBC, it will tell you that the future is indeed in the ICT.
So this is a clear indication that at the pace ICT is growing in Nigeria, most probably in the next 2 or 3 years, the contribution of the ICT to the GDP will, at least, double that of oil sector. This is a country that was relying so much on oil sector but they are not even neighbors now the gap between the two is wide 8 and 13. The credit should, however, go to every stakeholder in the sector including a driver.”
The Chairman, NCC’s Board, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye commended the Minister for his wise counsel.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, told the Minister that the Commission had this year decided not to erect a pavilion “which is consistent with the cost-saving measures of the Federal Government.”
He said, “The Ministry is aware of this cost-cutting measures we put in place to scale down the resources we deploy in hosting Nigeria at important international events. We have provided information on what agencies under the Ministry of Communications are busy doing to grow the ICT sector in Nigeria.”
The delegation included Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary. Ms. Eniola Olaitan Ajay, Chairman, NCC Board, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Former Chairman NCC Board, Alhaji Ahmad Joda, Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa Ibrahim, NCC Commissioner, Mr. Clem Baiye, among others.
