Federal Government says it has concluded plans to establish the Office of Nigerian Content Development in ICT, as part of concrete measures to promote IT local products and services in Nigeria and abroad.
President Goodluck Jonathan who stated this at the just-concluded eNigeria Conference organised by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja, explained that the Office would ensure judicious and sustainable implementation of IT local content development.
The President, represented by the Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, underscored the growing importance of ICT to socio-economic development of the country.
He noted with satisfaction that the launch of the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT last year, has received tremendous support and interest from both local and global ICT stakeholders.
He pointed out that studies have been carried out by international partners which support the strengthening of local IT using public procurement.
According to Jonathan, “There are numerous studies performed by the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) that support a strategy of strengthening the local IT sector by using public procurement.
“Government procurement of ICT goods and services is substantial and will continue to grow, as we deliver more and more services online, use social media to engage with citizens, and leverage ICTs to improve the productivity of civil servants and efficiency of public service delivery.
“A number of policy directives already exist – for instance government procurement of Personal Computers (PCs), below a certain configuration, must be sourced locally.
“Government also gives preference to meaningful technology transfer partnerships and collaborations between local and international companies, for the deployment of ICT services in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies[MDAs].”
The President, however, stated that the success of the local content initiative would depend on the deliberate and market driven opportunities through which Nigerian ICT products and services could be delivered.
While appraising the successes recorded in the sector, he said in the last two years, the ICT sector has made a direct contribution of 10.56 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP.
“ICT also contributed a combined 2.56 per cent of added value to other sectors, thereby, validating our emphasis on a more strategic and deliberate focus on the ICT sector,” he said.
In creating market opportunities for Nigerian ICT products and services, he warned that the stakeholders must be mindful not “fall into the trap of protectionism or poor quality,” if there is a perception of a guaranteed market.
The President further commended a number of innovative programmes initiated and rolled out by NITDA to complement the local innovation ecosystem.
The post FG sets up ICT Nigerian Content Development Office appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.
President Goodluck Jonathan who stated this at the just-concluded eNigeria Conference organised by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja, explained that the Office would ensure judicious and sustainable implementation of IT local content development.
The President, represented by the Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, underscored the growing importance of ICT to socio-economic development of the country.
He noted with satisfaction that the launch of the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT last year, has received tremendous support and interest from both local and global ICT stakeholders.
He pointed out that studies have been carried out by international partners which support the strengthening of local IT using public procurement.
According to Jonathan, “There are numerous studies performed by the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) that support a strategy of strengthening the local IT sector by using public procurement.
“Government procurement of ICT goods and services is substantial and will continue to grow, as we deliver more and more services online, use social media to engage with citizens, and leverage ICTs to improve the productivity of civil servants and efficiency of public service delivery.
“A number of policy directives already exist – for instance government procurement of Personal Computers (PCs), below a certain configuration, must be sourced locally.
“Government also gives preference to meaningful technology transfer partnerships and collaborations between local and international companies, for the deployment of ICT services in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies[MDAs].”
The President, however, stated that the success of the local content initiative would depend on the deliberate and market driven opportunities through which Nigerian ICT products and services could be delivered.
While appraising the successes recorded in the sector, he said in the last two years, the ICT sector has made a direct contribution of 10.56 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP.
“ICT also contributed a combined 2.56 per cent of added value to other sectors, thereby, validating our emphasis on a more strategic and deliberate focus on the ICT sector,” he said.
In creating market opportunities for Nigerian ICT products and services, he warned that the stakeholders must be mindful not “fall into the trap of protectionism or poor quality,” if there is a perception of a guaranteed market.
The President further commended a number of innovative programmes initiated and rolled out by NITDA to complement the local innovation ecosystem.
The post FG sets up ICT Nigerian Content Development Office appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.
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