Mr Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communication says the Information and Communications Technology(ICT) Sector has the potential to increase the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
Shittu said this on Tuesday at the Second Edition of the 2016 Information Communication Technology and Telecommunication Exhibition and Conference (ICTEL) with the theme: “Mobility, Technology, and Nigerian Economy’’.
The event was organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
According to the minister, the ICT industry is the only sector of the economy that has recorded positive growth in the first quarter of 2016 in the country.
“Currently, about 10 per cent of the ICT sector has the potential of becoming a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and the sector has also employed more professional than the oil and gas.
“Nigerian should focus more on diversification in ICT because the sector has been a success enabler to other industries with upsurge in telephone density cutting across the technology platforms.
“This expo organised by LCCI will provide a platform for the development of ICT and telecommunications sector toward a more connected government and a digital Nigerian economy,” he said.
Shittu said that the role of mobile services in delivering economic and social impacts in the country was widely recognised as it had enabled growth strategies by delivering wide-ranging benefits to the economy.
He listed some of the benefits to include mobile service promoting digital inclusion, provide access to essential information such as health advice, mobile ecosystem contributing over 10 billion dollars and supporting the creation of 200,000 jobs across the country in 2015.
He said that due to global quest for ICT, government was focusing on creating opportunities for citizenship participation in ICT tools to solve problems, promote their well-being and enhance national growth.
“With the dwindling revenue from oil and gas sector, government has realised more than ever before that telecommunication and ICT are among the main drivers for the social and economic development of Nigeria.
“Government will also provide the needed enabling environment for ICT and telecommunication sector to thrive through enactment of relevant legislation,” he said.
Shittue said that the ICTEL Expo 2016 would further offer a platform for corporate organisations seeking to build partnership for enhanced profitability in the sector.
He urged stakeholders to adopt sustainable business model in the interest of the various businesses and society at large especially within the context of economic diversification and job creation.