COVID 19: Nigeria ICT Sector to Experience Growth – NITDA Unveils Plan

As part of efforts to cushion COVID-19 pandamic economic impact, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Abdullahi has rolled out plans targeted at creating and protecting one million Information Technology jobs in Nigeria.

 

He made this known, Monday 27th April, 2020 during the virtual submission of report from the agency’s Advisory Committee, mandated to access the impact of covid-19 pandemic on Technology and Innovation Ecosystem also known as Tech4Covid19.

Tech4Covid19 Advisory Committee was constituted in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, precisely on April 1st, 2020, as one the measures put forward  by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami to cushion the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on information technology ecosystem.

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On this note, the 10- member Advisory committee was given the term of reference to, among others, device suitable strategies for the provision of affordable internet access to individuals and businesses; develop a framework to facilitate access to financing for tech and tech-enabled ventures; and device modalities for encouraging the development and adoption of digital technology, as well as support policies in line with the “Work from Home” directive of the federal government.

Mr Kashifu maintained that based on the discussion he had with the minister, the government is targeting to create or retain one million jobs in ICT sector this year.

He stated that they are looking at many different areas in terms of start ups doing agricultural value chains, empowering hubs, developing and implementing the framework of business process outsourcing and other areas, to see how thousands of jobs can be created directly or indirectly.

“In doing so, I urge the committee to develop a business plan; stating facts and figures on how the IT sector will create and protect jobs. What I want from the committee are two things: One for example, you state that we have 100 thousand work force and if the government does not do anything to intervene during this pandemic we are going to loose the 100 thousand jobs or if government intervenes by doing some certain things we are going to retain all the 100 thousand jobs and create additional 30 thousand jobs”, he said.

He enjoined businesses to approach the agency with facts and figures that government is open to intervene quickly as job creation is one of its top priorities.

Furthermore, Mr Abdullahi asserted that for the government to have full understanding and confidence that the IT sector will contribute greatly in terms of job creation, however the facts and figures must be justifiable and accurate.

“We all believe that a lot of things will change after these pandemic. As some believe that the 4th industrial revolution will take place. As such we need to unlock this hidden opportunities or identify the silver lining which are the Digital First and keep businesses up and running,” he added.

He said, “A lot of technologies will come on board and people will embrace them. A lot of things are going to change and a lot of businesses are going to be powered by technologies.”

Concerning the recommendations, Kashifu assured the committee that NITDA and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami will do everything possible in their capacity to see that all the highlighted recommendations in the 4 critical areas are tackled accordingly.

He urged the members of the committee that in regards to the hubs intervention, the agency intends to provide them with a business opportunity where they can earn money, have start ups and create more job opportunities as it is the focus of the agency and the government.

NITDA boss then encouraged the hubs to come up with a business proposal on how many job opportunities can be created and how much is needed.

On the business process outsourcing, Mr Kashifu assured the committee that the Agency will fast track its process and bring out positive results soon.

He applauded the efforts of the committee in delivering a timely report despite the lockdown as a result of the covid-19 pandemic in the country, stating that the briefing from the chairman of the committee shows that everything is on track and ready for implementation.

The Advisory Committee recommended the following; secure permit/approval to allow all technology enabled start ups with products and services that are categorized as essential to operate across the country during lockdown period; that NITDA, in conjunction with Nigeria Communication Commission and local telecommunication companies secure a discounted uncapped data plan for all interested tech enabled businesses to facilitate remote working during the lockdown period and open a direct line of communication with businesses as well as ecosystem intermidiaries for continuous assessment of the impact of the pandemic on tech-enabled business for continuous assessment of necessary palliative to aid business continuity.