TheNewsGuru

Tag: Isa Pantami

  • FG provides broadband infrastructure for 22 institutions, MSMEs

    FG provides broadband infrastructure for 22 institutions, MSMEs

    The Federal Government has launched the provision of broadband infrastructure in 22 higher academic institutions and for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the 22 institutions comprise of 18 universities and six polytechnics drawn evenly from the six geopolitical zones in the country.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, during the launch on Thursday in Abuja, said the initiative was aimed at boosting the economic drive of the current administration in various sectors.

    He said the project, which was to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was approved by the Federal Executive Council, after the presentation by the minister.

    He also said this was to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria and advance the course of digital economy projections for the nation.

    He said that digital connectivity and expanding access to information played key roles in enhancing the economy.

    According to him, the World Bank estimated that an increase in the digitally-connected people across the globe to 75 per cent.

    Pantami said: ”This will result in an addition of up to $2 trillion dollars per year to world GDP and a creation of about 140 million jobs.

    “Similarly, a report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation states that 80 per cent of economic benefits in developing countries are as a result of the use of ICTs and digital skills.

    “While in developed countries, it is even higher at 90 per cent.”

    Pantami said that Nigeria had experienced the impact of the digital economy on other sectors of the economy.

    The minister added: “You will recall that the digital economy of Nigeria played a key role in stabilising and growing other sectors of our economy.

    “The ICT sector also enabled Nigeria to exit the recession triggered by COVID-19, a year earlier than predicted by experts.

    “In particular, the ICT sector grew by 14.70 per cent in the last quarter of 2020 and was the only sector that grew by double digits in this quarter and in the entire year 2020.”

    Pantami reiterated that digital connectivity, access, and skills were critical to human and economic development in both developed and developing countries.

    He listed the beneficiary tertiary institutions to include: University Of Lagos, College Of Education (Special), Ibadan, as well as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

    Others were : University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Federal Univeristy Of Technology, Owerri and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

    The rest were: University Of Calabar, University Of Benin, University Of Port Harcourt, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Bayero University, Kano, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, Borno University, and ATBU, Bauchi.

    Others were:  Gombe University, Federal University Of Technology, Minna, University Of Ilorin and University Of Abuja.

  • Pantami stresses importance of techology to national development

    Pantami stresses importance of techology to national development

    Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, on Monday in Kaduna, stressed the importance of technology to national development.

    Pantami made the call while speaking via virtual conference at the opening of a two-day first Faculty of Science International Conference, organised by the Airforce Institute of Techology (AFIT) Kaduna.

    The conference was in line with the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD 2022).

    It had the theme ‘Positioning Basic Sciences and Technology in Enhancing Digital Economy and National Security’.

    The international conference was in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and supported by Kaura Motors, an automobile company.

    Pantami stated that government and learning Institutions needed to pay more attention to science and technology as the key to development of the country.

    He also said that functional, practical, relevant science and technology education, rather than theories, which were given much priority in learning institutions, would impact the necessary skills on the students.

    He added these would address unemployment in the country.

    According to him, technology remains the path way to sustainable development, noting that it was the way for the digital transformation of people in the society.

    “Relevant technology is the way of moving many out of poverty in Nigeria; technology holds the key to sustainable development because it has the potential to fully transform our society,” he said.

    The minister further said that the application of basic science and technology could lead to effective solutions.

    He said that such solutions would enhance the security challenges and restore peace and security for attainment of sustainable development of Nigeria.

    He also said Innovative capabilities, through science and technology, were critical for ensuring food sufficiency and harnessing agriculture and the broader food system as a driver of economic and sustainable development.

    Also, Gov. Nasir Elrufa’i said that the state government had put modalities on ground to improve relevant science and technology education in the state, adding that at basic education, they had employed over 24,000 teachers at primary school level.

    Elrufa’i, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology, Dr. Yusuf Saleh, said the state government had completed six new science secondary schools and renovated technical colleges across the state.

    He also said the government had created Community and Social Development Centres, among others, as part of the efforts in ensuring development of basic science and technology at various
    educational levels in the state.

    Earlier, the Commandant of AFIT, AVM Muhammad Yakubu, said the IYBSSD, was in response to the invitation of the UN for organisations, including the academia to observe and raise awareness on importance of basic sciences.

    This ii in the quest for the attainment of sustainable development.

    He explained that proclamation of the year 2022 as the Year of Basic
    Sciences by UN General Assembly, was in
    recognition of the importance of basic sciences to livelihood.

    According to him, enhanced global awareness and increased education in the basic sciences is vital to the attainment of sustainable development and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens of nations.

    “Acccording to Michel Spiro, the President of the International
    Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), basic sciences provide the essential means to meet crucial challenges.”

    The challenges include the universal access to food, energy, healthcare and communication technologies, Yakubu said.

    He said from the theme of the conference, the priority areas identified were clear and the justification for the choice was obviously to keen observers of the security and economic landscape of Nigeria.

    “With respect to security, the various waves and myriad of security challenges across the six geo-political zones of
    of Nigeria have, for some time, threatened the corporate existence of the country.

    “It would therefore be heart-warming if the application of basic sciences can lead us to effective solutions that would diminish and eliminate these challenges and restore peace and security for the attainment of sustainable development in our country.”

    He noted that researches such as the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Digital Forensics for national security and
    the role of technology in combating banditry and food insecurity in North-West Nigeria, would be presented.

    He said other presentations would be on “enhancing Nigeria’s security capacity
    through biotechnology”, a descriptive analysis of the connections between basic science and quality of life.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the conference was the exhibition of UAV in motion and prototype of remote controlled explosives, among others.

  • Pantami kickstarts landmark broadband projects

    Pantami kickstarts landmark broadband projects

    Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will on Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Abuja, preside over the commencement of landmark broadband initiatives to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria and advance the course of digital economy projections for the nation.

    The event will witness the award of contracts for the provision of broadband infrastructure for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), as well as for tertiary and higher institutions of learning across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    Pantami is also billed to present a book, SKILLS RATHER THAN JUST DEGREES, authored by him, with a foreword written by Brad Smith, President, Microsoft Corporation.

    The list of projects for the various geopolitical zones that are set for launch were recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), after presentation by the Minister. The projects are expected to be completed within six months, from the date of the award.

    Well-known tech companies have been selected through a transparent tendering process by the NCC for the implementation of the strategic projects.

    The event is expected to attract multi-stakeholders from the academia, technology enthusiasts, including prospective start-up companies, fintech organisations and other interested sectors, whose activities are billed to energize the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030.

    The provision of broadband infrastructure for the MSMEs in Nigeria, and for tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country will add the necessary fillip towards achieving the major objectives spelt out in the NDEPS 2020-2030.

  • Nigeria needs to shift focus from certificates – Pantami

    Nigeria needs to shift focus from certificates – Pantami

    Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami has said a paradigm shift from the clamour for educational certificates and qualifications to acquiring social, soft skills that would ensure one was critically positioned to address challenges in society is needed in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pantami said this on Monday at a news conference in Abuja to mark the third Digital Nigeria Day (DND) annually obseved on Oct. 24 across the world.

    The DND also doubles as the UN World Development Information Day marked to recognise the importance of Information and communications technologies towards providing new solutions to development challenges.

    The UN day of information is to recognise the role of ICT particularly in the context of globalisation, how it can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion.

    Speaking during the conference, Pantami disclosed that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy excelled at the recently concluded retreat that was held for all Ministers.

    He further disclosed that the assessment was based on the output indicators and milestones for the eight ministerial deliverables and the ministry obtained the highest grade in each of the deliverables.

    “Implementation of Broadband Connectivity was 134 per cent, deployment of 4G across the country -127 per cent, digitalising government functions and processes was 99 per cent.

    “Development and implementation of a National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy -103 per cent, while implementation of a Digital Identity Programme was 86 per cent.

    “Improvement and optimisation of revenues from all operators and licensees in the agencies under the ministry’s supervision was 594 per cent,”Pantami said.

    He further said that the active collaboration with the private sector to create jobs amounted to 111 per cent, while empowerment of citizens was 137 per cent.

    Pantami said the assessment was carried out by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK and KPMG, among others, in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    He also recalled that the ICT sector contributed 14.07 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, 17.92 per cent in second quarter of 2021, while 18.44 per cent was contributed in the second quarter of 2022.

    According to him, at each time, these numbers were the highest ever contribution of the ICT sector to the Gross Domestic Product.

    Pantami said:`’Furthermore, the quarterly revenues also generated for the Federal Government rose from N51.3 billion to N408.7 billion, through spectrum sales and taxes from the sector.

    “We now have a Nigeria Startup Act, which is a principal legislation and is a major achievement that will significantly enhance the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nigeria.’’

    The minister added that some of the policies that had boosted revenues in the sector included National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy 2020-2030 (NDEPS), as well as Roadmap for the Implementation of the NDEPS.

    Other policies, he said, were SIM Card Registration Policy, Nigeria National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 and the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Telecommunications Sector, among others.

    Pantami said that over 863,372 citizens benefited from digital skills programmes, while the ministry had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Microsoft to train five million Nigerians on high global digital skills demand.

    “On assumption of office on Aug. 1, 2019, the official broadband penetration figures stood at 33.72 per cent and today it is 44.65 per cent, representing close to 13 million new broadband users.

    “Similarly, there were 13,823 4G base stations and we now have 36,751, representing a 165.86 per cent increase and the percentage of 4G coverage also increased from 23 per cent to 77.52 per cent.

    “The cost of data has crashed from N1,200 per Gigabyte to about N350, making it easier for Nigerians to connect to the Internet,’’ he said.

    The minister said that the ministry had developed an IT clearance portal to support inoperability, eliminate duplication and ensure value for money in the implementation of ICT projects in the country.

    According to him, the quarterly savings from the IT Projects’ Clearance Process rose from N12.45 million to N10.57 billion.

    He also said that steps were being taken to create a pool of Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy.

    Pantami said: “Privacy concerns are also being addressed through the newly established Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).

    “The drafting of the data protection bill has reached an advanced stage, Digital Identity enrolments have been successful, with issued National Identification Numbers (NINs) rising from less than 40 million to over 90 million.’’

    Pantami said in promoting indigenous content, the ministry had developed a policy for promoting indigenous content in the telecom sector to complement similar efforts that focused on the information technology sector.

    He said it would reduce capital flight, amongst other things.

    Pantami also advocated paradigm shift from the clamour for educational certificates and qualifications to acquiring social, soft skills that would ensure one was critically positioned to address challenges in the society.

    Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that the DND would be a week-long programme from Oct. 25 to 27.

    Inuwa said the conference would hold in a hybrid manner with an application platform where participants could register and also be broadcast live.

    Inuwa said that Nigeria was ready for a digital economy, as well as transformation, hence everyone should key in.

    The theme of the conference would be “Digital Transformation: A Path to Sustainable Digital Economy.’’

  • FG appoints Adepoju Sunday as new Postmaster General

    FG appoints Adepoju Sunday as new Postmaster General

    Adepoju Adeyemi Sunday has been appointed as the new Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer for the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment following recommendations made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

    The new Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST is appointed for an initial term of five (5) years, it was learnt.

    Sunday is a professional accountant and a former member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2011 – 2015 and 2015 – 2019, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.

    NIPOST is an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the appointment is with immediate effect.

  • How Nigeria’s digital economy grew by double digits at peak of Covid-19

    How Nigeria’s digital economy grew by double digits at peak of Covid-19

    The Nigerian Government says the digital economy sector currently contributes over 18 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and has become the fastest growing sector in the nation’s economy.

    According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a digital economy is one which incorporates all economic activities reliant on or significantly enhanced using digital inputs.

    Addressing global leaders in the Information and Communications Technology sector and policy makers at the on-going International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference, ITU PP2 in Bucharest, Romania on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, said that the growth of the sector has been significantly steady.

    “In the first quarter of 2020, the sector contributed more than 14 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, while in the second quarter of 2021, it contributed 17.90 per cent,” he said.

    He noted that digital economy was the only sector that grew by double digits at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has witnessed unprecedented growth since then. Nigeria established two virtual academies during the pandemic, dedicated to the empowerment of citizens with digital skills, and the various partnerships with global technology giants to train ten million citizens.

    The Nigeria Startup Law aimed at providing an enabling environment for indigenous innovators, to provide solutions to existing national and global challenges is currently before the National Assembly and has reached an advanced stage.

    As a result, Five of the seven unicorns in Africa originated from Nigeria, representing to over 70% of the entire unicorns in Africa and the country’s digital economy sector is valued at approximately $100 billion in terms of revenue flow.

    Despite the accomplishments and prospects of the sector, experts say there is need for the government to provide attractive tax-based incentives to tech companies, especially start-ups and facilitate ease of doing business.

    The bill which also seeks to ensure the sustainability of the business climate and give statutory force to Executive Order 001 of 2017 on the promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business, passed its second reading at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

    The Nigeria Digital Economy Diagnostic report said that with improvements in digital connectivity, digital skills, digital financial services and other core areas of digital development, Nigeria can fully unleash new economic opportunities, create jobs and transform people’s lives.

    The report provides an assessment of the state of the country’s digital economy around the five pillars of the Digital Economy for Africa initiative (DE4A); digital infrastructure, digital platforms, digital financial services, digital entrepreneurship and digital skills, which are key foundational elements of a digital economy.

    “As the biggest economy in Africa with one of the largest populations of young people in the world, Nigeria is well-positioned to develop a strong digital economy, which would have a transformational impact on the country,” World Bank Senior Digital Development Specialist and co-author of the report Isabel Neto said.

    Through innovations and investments, the Nigerian economy can harness digital data and new technologies that link individuals with markets and government services.

  • INVESTIGATION: Only 41 per cent of Nigerians have NIN as NIMC triples enrolment in four years

    INVESTIGATION: Only 41 per cent of Nigerians have NIN as NIMC triples enrolment in four years

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), says the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment programme taking place in over 15, 000 centres across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, has so far captured 89 million Nigerians in its database.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that this figure represents a 218 per cent increase from the 28 million persons it registered in 2018 and only 41 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated 215 million population.

    At a Press Conference to mark the 4th National Identity Day celebration in Abuja on Friday, the Director General of NIMC Aliyu Aziz, noted that the Commission has now hit an average of two million registration monthly through strategic partnerships with traditional instructions and awareness creation.

    As of today, scores of government programmes including workers’ registration under the Contributory Pension Scheme, application for and ownership of a driver’s licence, opening and operating a bank account, accessing health insurance, filing tax returns, registering for and writing the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) exams, voting during the elections and making phone calls cannot be done without a valid NIN.

    “Today we have enrolled 89million people for the National Identify Number, NIN). When I became the DG we enrolled over 7million but you can see than we have enrolled additional 82 million We have been growing the data as every month we enroll two million people.

    “The 89 million are the mainstream people so there are still remaining the local people in village, Petty traders, market poeple and artisan in rural areas across the country who are yet to be enrolled,” Aziz said.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, who supervises NIMC, also stressed during the conference that “we can only get our digital economy right when we continue to improve and encourage our citizens to enrol in our national database”.

    It would be recalled that the Commission was established in 2007 but commenced enrolment of citizens for the National Identification Number (NIN) in 2012. Previous National ID Card programs in Nigeria were card-based but the current focus of the Commission is issuing number-based digital IDs which can be syncronised to a person’s records wherever they are.

    The NIN is an advanced number-based identity management system consisting of 11 unintelligent digits generated after a successful enrollment and it is unique as no two people have the same number. If a NIN holder dies that unique number is rested permanently.

    However, Nigerians have constantly lamented that the National e-ID Card component of the National Identity Management System (NIMS) which was launched in September of 2014, has been very slow.

    An enrollee Emmanuella Harrison, complained that she was yet to collect her ID Card more than five years after registration, even though she was given her NIN through a temporary slip that was issued to her upon successful registration.

    “They gave me a slip more than five years and up till now, I don’t have a card. Sometimes, I want to do something maybe at the bank and they will ask for ID card or passport and I don’t have them. It can be both embarrassing and frustrating,” she lamented.

    Another enrollee Victor Asemota, complained that his passport renewal process has been stalled as a delay of delays from NIMC.

    Asemota explained: “I’ve been trying to renew my passport since May but some days ago, my contact at the immigration office said that the process cannot continue for now because my NIN has not ‘dropped’ and that if I know somebody at NIMC of pay N5, 000, it can be fast-tracked”.

    It was gathered that the NIN portal has been down for weeks, making it difficult for the Nigerian Immigration Service to carry out verification of applicants, as part of processing requirements. The NIMC website is also currently down.

    The Commission has blamed the delay in issuance of ID cards on insufficient funding, stressing it can only meet its funds-based objectives when sufficient budgetary allocations are provided.

    In 2020, the federal government secured a World Bank credit facility of $430 million for the NIMC under the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (DI4D). The project targets to enroll 148 million Nigerians, including 65 million women and girls, as well as 50 million children under the age of 16 by June 1, 2024.

    According to the NIMC Act, the registration and procurement of a National Identity Card are compulsory for all registrable persons in Nigeria. Registration is also free and has no age restrictions.

     

  • BREAKING: After public outcry, FG suspends proposed telecoms tax

    BREAKING: After public outcry, FG suspends proposed telecoms tax

    The federal government of Nigeria has suspended the proposed 5% excise duty on telecommunication services, according to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Pantami disclosed this in Abuja on Monday during the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector.

    According to the minister, the telecommunications sector is already overburdened by excessive and multiple taxations.

    The Federal Government through the Budget Office of the Federation had earlier revealed that it would begin the implementation of its proposed excise duty on telecommunication services and beverages in 2023.

    the government gave a hint on July 28, that the five per cent would be added to the already existing 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on telecommunications services.

    However, Pantami maintained that the implementation of this tax would increase the cost of telecommunication services for Nigerians.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the committee, Pantami said that President Muhammadu Buhari granted his prayer for the immediate suspension of the 5 per cent excise duty.

    Pantami said: “It is because of this that the president had granted my prayers. He approved that a committee be constituted to look into the matter carefully and advise him accordingly.

    “The president has appointment me to be his eyes and ears in the sector. It is my responsibility to ensure we are just and fair to the operators, government and most importantly the consumers.”

    The minister, who serves as the Committee’s Chairman further told the members how he explained to the president the effect of the excise duty on the sector.

    “Of recent, it was announced that some of our respected brothers and sisters kick started the process of introducing excise duty in the telecom sector.

    “Based on the constitution and being the representative of  Buhari in the sector, I rejected that wholeheartedly.

    “I formalised my position and explained to him in a letter that could be referred to as a petition, because excise duty was usually fixed on luxury products

    “I told the president in a the letter that if care is not taken, that attempt will destroy the digital economy sector that is becoming the backbone of our economy,” he said.

    On why he kicked against the excise duty, he said in spite the achievements of the sector, it also had its challenges, which could be a barrier in its development in the next few years to come.

    “As of today, the ICT sector is over burdened by so many categories of taxes to the extend that there are 41 categories of taxes at the federal and state level, particularly in the telecom sector.

    “Beside, these taxes are multiple taxes. The same taxes being collected at the federal level is also what the states are insisting be paid to them.

    “If care is not taken, this is what will jeopardise the achievements and gains that we have recorded so far in the sector,”the minister said.

    Pantami added that prices of products and services in other sectors had increased significantly apart from the telecom sector in the last three years, because of the economic situation in the country.

    “The Mobile Network Operators have been coming to us to allow them increase prices of their products, but I have been encouraging them to be patient.

    “In these three years, there were more than 15 attempts to increase the price of telecommunications services and in all of them I retained my position saying no,” he said.

    Pantami announced the members of the committee to include the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS),

    Others are Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Representative of all Telecom companies in Nigeria.

  • 95% digital literacy in Nigeria by 2030 promising – Pantami

    95% digital literacy in Nigeria by 2030 promising – Pantami

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, at the weekend in Gombe, said Nigeria’s march towards attaining 95 per cent digital literacy in 2030, as contained in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), 2020 – 2030, now looks more promising than ever.

    Pantami, who presided over the graduation of participants at a two-week Digital Job Creation Training for the North-East in Gombe, which was facilitated by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, said “the reason we train citizens is because digital skills are no longer considered a luxury, but necessities required in any business you do. If you want to be successful, you need to have digital skills.’’

    According to the Minister, “ICT is not just an independent sector but the key enabler of all other sectors today. It enables opportunities in education, in health, in agriculture, in security, in defence, in manufacturing, in trade, in investment and in industry.”

    He, therefore, urged the participants to adopt innovation-driven enterprises and to utilize the training they have received to improve their economic status and make Nigeria a better place.

    “We have to utilise ICT in order to make our country a better place. We must use ICT even for our personal economic benefits amongst others. Therefore, we want to encourage you not to waste your times online but rather to use the knowledge you have acquired to make Nigeria a better place and at the same time, derive many economic benefits from it,” he said.

    The Minister highlighted that recent reports of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, about the performance of each sector of the economy, which indicated an unprecedented ICT’s contribution of 18.44 per cent to the economy, as very heart-warming about the prospects of the industry meeting with the expectations of the relevant policies.

    “So, by implications, we set a record last year and we surpassed that record this second quarter of 2022 without involving the digital services. Only the ICT sector contributed 18.44 per cent, which can be attributed to the policies which we have introduced in the sector,” he said.

    He said the training which has taken place in nine other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, will be conducted throughout the remaining geopolitical zones.

    The Digital Job Creation Training is a two-week programme targeted at youth desirous of developing and enhancing their ICT skills in order to promote and enhance growth in the yet untapped and commercially viable digital economy both locally and globally. Each participant at the training received starter packs comprising laptop with accessories, MiFi Modem with three months data subscription, and some money.

  • ICT sector contributes 18.44% to Nigeria’s GDP

    ICT sector contributes 18.44% to Nigeria’s GDP

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector of the Nigerian economy contributed 18.44 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q2 2022.

    Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant Research and Development to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Adeluyi said that the digital economy sector under Prof. Isa Pantami has continued its trend of playing a key part in the growth on Nigeria’s economy.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Pantami, was very excited to hear of the remarkable contribution of the ICT sector to Nigeria’s GDP in the quarter under review.

    According to him, the oil sector contributed 6.33 per cent to the total real GDP in Q2 2022, which was lower than the contribution in Q2 ‘2021 and Q1 ‘2022, where it contributed 7.42% and 6.63%, respectively.

    “The non-oil sector’s contribution grew by 4.77 per cent in real terms, resulting in a 93.67 per cent contribution to the nation’s GDP in the Q2 ‘2022.

    “This was higher than Q2 ‘2021 and Q2 ‘2022, where it contributed 92.58 per cent and 93.37 per cent, respectively,” he said.

    Pantami said that the growing contribution of the sector to the GDP was as a result of the commitment of the current administration to the development of the digital economy.

    He said that the unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to the dynamic and results-oriented leadership of the sector.

    He, however, said that the Report had shown how critical the ICT sector was to the growth of the country’s digital economy and, by extension, the general economy.

    “The diligent implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, stakeholder engagement and creation of an enabling environment have all played an important role in this achievement.

    “The support of President Muhammadu Buhari, has contributed immensely to the impressive developments in the sector.

    “The unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to the dynamic and results-oriented leadership of the sector,” he said.

    Pantami congratulated stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem for this cheering news.

    He called on all sectors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new focus on the digital economy to enable and improve their processes through the use of ICTs.

    He added: “This would enhance the output of all the sectors of the economy and boost Nigeria’s GDP. “