Some experts in Information Communication Technology (ICT) have called on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for the sector to thrive and generate more revenue for the country.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday that the sector was a veritable one that could enhance the economy of any nation if properly harnessed.
Biodun Animashaun, managing director, Braintech Technology, said technology could enhance productivity level at all spheres because “it cuts across all sectors of the economy.”
Animashaun regretted that Nigeria’s over reliance on oil had diverted both local and foreign investors’ attentions away from other veritable sectors, saying, “ICT is being projected to becoming one of the mainstreams for revenue generation for the government in few years to come. Government’s involvement in developing some other areas like the ICT will see such projections come to reality.”
Also, Femi Efunsanya, CEO of MDOT Technology, said government should formulate policy that would drive information communication technology to become attractive to investors.
“Government needs to diversify from oil to other sectors such as ICT, which will make the country to be at par with the advanced countries of the world,’’ he said.
Similarly, Deji Williams, managing director, Re-genesis Venture, said that ICT, which had a lot of potentials capable of bringing innovations to the various sectors, had not been explored by the government.
Williams said that there was the need to focus more on the sector and eliminate all inhibiting factors so as put the ICT industry in Nigeria on a better pedestal.
“Government should solve the issue of power and regulate the price of internet access with good hardware. Most of the sectors of the economy will go digital and increase their productivity.
“More revenue will be generated to boost the economy of the country if these inhibiting factors are removed,” Williams said.
