ICT to contribute 30% to GDP by 2020

The Information and Communications Technology sector will contribute about 30 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said. Shittu spoke in Abuja at the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition with the theme: Accelerated Development of Africa with Internet of Everything. He said the Federal Government […]

The Information and Communications Technology sector will contribute about 30 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said.
Shittu spoke in Abuja at the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition with the theme: Accelerated Development of Africa with Internet of Everything.
He said the Federal Government is intensifying it’s efforts towards improving the economy using a smart government initiative which thrives on ICT.
The minister who was represented by the Director of ICT in the ministry,  Mrs Monisola Udoh,  said the Muhammadu Buhari administration would strive to achieve the 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018, adding that ease of doing business will be further enhanced with broadband penetration across Nigeria.
With ubiquitous internet, he added, many IT savvy young Nigerians would also be able to work from their homes and even create employments.
He said the government would soon establish ICT University which would bridge skill gap in the sector.
Also speaking at the event yesterday, the Chairman of Zenith Bank Mr Jim Ovia said many Nigerians have yet to tap fully into the benefits in ICT.
He said with right policies from the government, the sector could become the highest revenue spinning for the country.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the chairman of the Digital Africa Global Consult,  Dr Evans Woherem said if government focuses more on ICT a lot of problems bedevilling the country would be solved.