The National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated determination
to create enabling environment for the technology start-ups in the country and turn
Nigeria into a continental technology-hub, reports ITRealms.
Speaking in Lagos, the
acting Director-General, NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji gave this indication of
commitment of his agency in projecting the image of the country using the value
in the new digital economy, especially as it concerns the 2016 GITEX in Dubai.
Olatunji described the
intention of NITDA to be on creating ‘ICT based SMEs’ so as to make certain the help to diversify the economy but also create youth employment in the country.
“The way we live and
we love and work have gone online, so there’s need for NITDA to build up
capacity to sustain these online activities and ensure maximum benefits are
derived from it,” he said.
Also, he enumerated
the comparative advantages of having Nigeria as destination point for the
growing digital economy in Africa, outlining Nigeria’s size, English language,
and high rate of education as some of the key benefits for potential investors.
In addition, he said, as
a veritable platform to expose these tech-preneurs, NITDA is equally pursuing vigorously
this mandate using various avenues, including via the e-Nigeria Conference and
Expo, which he described as “clearing house for adopting relevant ideas and
innovation for defining and accelerating national economic growth.”
Similarly, Olatunji
said, NITDA is using the annual GITEX Technology show organised by the Dubai
World Trade Centre (DWTC) and slated for October 16-20, to showcase the quality
and potentials of local technology startups.
NITDA, he revealed is
facilitating Nigeria’s participation at three levels including the Nigerian
Pavilion, Nigerian Startups inside the Innovation Hub, and the Gitex Africa
Investment Forum being co-managed by the NITDA and the DWTC.
“All these levels of
participation are designed to ensure maximum exposure to ICT and other non-oil
sectors which is a cardinal economic goal of the current government under
President Muhammadu Buhari. Dubai has become an international hub for business
engagements. NITDA has already opened talks with several business prospects
through the support of the DWTC and the Consular Office in Dubai,” he said.
Nenye Dom/GEE
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