Nigerian Government sets up ICT content development office

The Nigerian Government has revealed that it has concluded plans to establish the Office of Nigerian Content Development in ICT. According to the Government, the office is expected to promote local IT products and services in Nigeria as well as across the globe.

President Goodluck Jonathan explained to media that the Office would ensure judicious and sustainable implementation of IT local content development. Goodluck Jonathan also noted that the launch of the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT last year had received tremendous support and interest from both local and global ICT stakeholders.

Goodluck Jonathan pointed out that studies have been carried out by international partners, which support the strengthening of local IT using public procurement. The president said the ICT sector has made a direct contribution of 10.56 percent to Nigeria’s GDP.

In creating market opportunities for Nigerian ICT products and services, he warned that the stakeholders must be mindful not “fall into the trap of protectionism or poor quality,” if there is a perception of a guaranteed market.

Goodluck Jonathan further commended a number of innovative programmes initiated and rolled out by NITDA to complement the local innovation ecosystem.

Darryl Linington