LAGOS – The Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to promote the inclusion of local content policy in the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) sector.
President of NIG, Mr Adebayo Banjo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this would aid Nigeria in actualising its Vision 20: 20:20.
The president said the country needed ICT content policy as it had it in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
“Why are we still importing virtually everything we use; do you know that we are spending huge sums of money to import software applications for hardware used by government agencies?”
According to him, promoting our local content will place the country among the 20 most developed countries of the world.
“Right now, Nigeria is not on that list, and those countries on it will not sit idle waiting for Nigeria to catch up with them. Hence, for Nigeria to make that list, it must double its efforts.
“It means commitment, dedication, hard work and real determination by the citizens, and part of that determination and national commitment must be the development and inclusion of the Nigerian local content, “ Banjo said.
The expert said the policy would promote direct investment in the ICT sector and create job opportunities for Nigerians.
Banjo said ICT would also boost productivity in education, health and agriculture sectors and an increment in the country’s foreign reserves.
“A large pool of the youth is roaming the streets because they are unemployed.
“Again, do not forget that the youthful age is the most creative, dynamic, visionary, energetic period in a human being’s life, but we are wasting ours.
“Our youths don’t have the right skills, competencies and exposure to move the nation forward. But the acquisition of ICT skills will make a difference in their life styles, “ he said.
Banjo urged the Federal Government to have a forum that would promote direct investment in ICT manufacturing and assembling.
“These will produce industries that will employ people, impart skills on them, boost and strengthen the value of the naira.
“When we import, we pay but when we export, we strengthen the value of the naira, “ he said. (NAN)
