The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has applauded the consistent growth in the contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) which hit 17.92 per cent in the last quarter of 2020 and continued its impressive trajectory in the first quarter of 2021.
Pantami, who gave the figures at the opening of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) roundtable and technical workshop on ‘Building Capabilities for Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Transformation in Nigeria’, said “this percentage is unprecedented and this is only the contribution of ICT to our GDP without calculating digital services”.
The minister said digital access and connectivity have become a necessity, as they play an increasingly vital role in citizens’ lives daily and have become key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The minister assured his audience – including representatives of ITU, FCDO and other international agencies, embassies, as well as the executive vice-chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta – that “the Federal Government understands that enormous private sector and international organisations’ support are essential to enable us to realise our lofty goals for Nigeria’s digital economy and this has informed our decision to partner with key international organisations such as the ITU and FCDO.
“The digital age is upon us and all relevant stakeholders must be prepared for the enormous but inevitable change that will occur.”
Also, the minister assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the digital economy, with a promise that “the Nigerian government will ensure that all critical infrastructure is made available for the facilitation of digital connectivity, transformation and ultimately, the realisation of a robust digital economy”.
The executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Garba Danbatta revealed that the Federal Government’s policies in the communications and digital economy sector are already yielding positive results, including a reduction in the access gap, improved digital financial inclusion and a steadily increasing contribution to the GDP.
He stated that the sector has remained the most resilient in the country while stressing that the commission recognises the need to do more in strengthening the telecommunication sector and improving internet penetration.
“As of the end of 2021, the estimated population of people living in the underserved areas declined from 31.16 million in 2019 to 28.87 million in 2021, and the access gaps reduced from 227 to 114,” he said.
A statement by the NCC’s director, public affairs, Reuben Muoka said Danbatta assured that the commission will not rest on its oars in supporting Internet penetration and improvement of services but is prepared to support internet penetrations and digital skills to give concrete expressions to policies and initiatives to close identified gaps.
“The commission is quite conscious of the need to do more and considers this roundtable another opportunity to gather feedback as well as expert opinions of participants. Therefore, all participants are enjoined to contribute freely and recommend measures that will further support Nigeria in meeting its connectivity target and developing a robust digital economy. We look forward to the outcome of your deliberations and expect feedbacks that will deepen the conversations on policies and initiatives for digital access and connectivity in Nigeria,” the EVC urged participants.
