FG partners foreign firm To Train 5,000 Nigerians on ICT, says minister

In its bid to enhance capacity building in the communication and technology sector, the Federal Government says it will soon enter agreement with foreign experts to assist in training about 5,000 Nigerians in the acquisition of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge.

Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication and Technology who stated this at the ministerial platform in Abuja, hinted that ICT in 2011 contributed over 5 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The minister who also disclosed that the ministry was determined to expend its interventionist fund in increasing the number of people trained by CISSCO, one of the leading technology firms in the world, from 80 to 200 Nigerians , observed that it was optimistic that the training would provide high level certified engineers.

Johnson added that as a way of promoting ICT in the country, arrangements were in top gear to set up an ICT academy in Nigeria, through the IT Development Fund, to serve as research centers, stressing that the move was geared towards increasing local talents and boosting the ICT industry.

“This will eliminate the exorbitant price of pursuing Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification overseas and replace expatriate expertise with highly skilled Nigerians” she added.

She said the ministry was also on the verge of signing an MoU with Nokia Corporation to establish a mobile lab in Nigeria to support the domestic mobile software industry.

The minister further maintained that her ministry was liaising with the Ministry of Education on how to deliver technology infrastructure to 36 universities , polytechnics and colleges of education.

She observed that in terms of inclusive development and bridging the digital devide, the ministry had been able to extend ICT service to a great number of Nigerians, regardless of demographic or socio- economic status, through the available intervention resources.

She disclosed that within the last one year, the ministry had linked about 766 schools to the internet, deployed 240 ICT centers in the six geo -political zones , provided 146 localities with communication centres, to enable every Nigerian, irrespective of status, to have access to effective communication.

She however expressed worry that Nigeria has only 58 percent mobile penetration, while Algeria has 93 percent, South Africa 92 percent, Garbon 89 percent and Tunisia 83 percent.

While bemoaning that Nigeria with over 160 million people, has only 33% of internet penetration, 6 percent of which is broadband penetration and average internet download speed is 1.38Mbps, Johnson lamented that “Most Nigerians are excluded from the growth and development that can be aided by information and communication technology.”

She said: “We hope to extend the benefits of ICTs to all Nigerians, regardless of geographical or socio-economic status. We hope to connect all Nigerians, as this would bridge the digital divide.

”In order to complement the fiber connectivity and provide more bandwidth for the nation, the ministry successfully launched NigConSat-1R satellite on 19th December 2011. NigComSat-1R is a hybrid satellite for broadcast telecommunications and navigational services, with footprints in over 35 African countries, parts of Europe and parts of Asia.

The satellite would be used to accelerate broadband penetration in difficult areas.”

The minister however frowned upon the low patronage of local manufacturers and software developers. ”Over N59 billion is transferred out for the purchase and maintenance of software. Nigeria’s computer market share in 2011 was about 690,000 units out of which 30 percent is by local manufacturers and foreign computer manufacturers are 70 percen percent while sim card production outside the country is 100 percent and mobile sets imported are 100 percent.” She said.

Source: businessdayonline.com