With stakeholders in the Digital Economy, from within and outside Nigeria, gathered at Digital Nigeria 2022 to brainstorm on a sustainable digital economy for the nation, the Federal Government declared that it was no longer accepting 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 within the country."The Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) made the sweeping declaration while delivering special remarks on Day #1 of the Digital Nigeria International Conference, Exhibition & Awards in Abuja on Monday, Oct 25.
The Conference, formerly known as the eNigeria International Conference, is the flagship awareness programme in the Digital Economy sector. The annual event was re-branded as Digital Nigeria to further expand its scope in line with the core objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
The aim is to brainstorm on contemporary issues of relevance across the globe, and to address Nigerian challenges for sustainable socioeconomic development. It is a veritable platform for Information & Communications Technology (ICT) awareness, creation, development of appropriate frameworks, and setting goals for best practices.
The Minister 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 Procurements by Ministries, Department and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria", and the "Planning and Execution of Projects, 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."
Prof. Pantami enthused that his segment 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%.
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