As stakeholders in the Digital Economy sector from both within and outside Nigeria gathered in Abuja to brainstorm on the path to a sustainable digital economy in the country, the Federal Government (FG) declared that it would no longer accept importation of any digital technological product or service into the country "until and unless the country is convinced that capacity to develop such product and service is not readily available in the country."

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, made the declaration during a special address at the Digital Nigeria 2022 Conference, Exhibition and Awards in Abuja (Oct 25~27). Formerly known as the eNigeria Conference, the annual event was re-branded as Digital Nigeria to expand its scope in line with the core objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

Minister Pantami holds that wisdom behind the stoppage of importation of digital technological products and services gives effect to Executive Orders 003 of May 2017, and 005 of February 2018, which support "Local content procurement by ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria", and the "Planning and execution of projects, and promotion of Nigerian content in contracts and science, engineering and technology", respectively.

He stated further that "even in the employment position that is publicized, as long as there are Nigerians that have the capacities to take up the challenges, it is not allowed for you to bring somebody from outside the country, except in an agreement transferring knowledge, and 40% of our products and services must be retained for Nigerians."

The minister disclosed that his sector has been performing with increasing creditably in the last three years, making it the fastest growing sector and the highest contributor to Gross Domestic Product in the country. "The Digital Economy has in recent years recorded three unprecedented records. For example, contributing18.44% of GDP in the last quarter according to the National Bureau of Statistic."

Listing record achievements for the sector, Prof. Pantami further expressed that his Ministry had scored high grades in each of the eight ministerial deliverables he signed with President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. He noted that his Ministry scored a very strong 173.86% average across the eight.

The scores in each deliverable were recorded as: implementation of broadband connectivity -134%; deployment of 4G across the country - 127%; digitalising government functions and processes - 99%; development and implementation of a National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy - 103%; implementation of a Digital Identity Programme - 86%; improvement and optimisation of revenues from all operators and licensees in agencies under the Ministry's supervision - 594%; active collaboration with private sector to create jobs - 111%; empowerment of citizens - 137%.

According to the Minister, the sector used to contribute an average of N51 billion (approx. US$118 million) quarterly to the government's coffer, but in the last three years, quarterly remittance has grown to N408 billion (approx. US$ 935 million). "And you cannot appreciate this until you know how difficult it is to generate funds for government.

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