National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated its support in promoting capacity building, ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship just as been spelt out in its mandate
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), NITDA’s Director General, made this known while receiving the management of Computer & Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) who were on a courtesy visit at the Agency Corporate Headquarters to solicit for support in the establishment of an ICT Hub in Computer Village (Otigba) Lagos.
According to Dr. Pantami, “The process of developing the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in society as diverse and complex as ours is quite daunting. However, the potential benefits of developing such a critical sector of our economy far outweigh whatever challenges such a process may entail. A well-developed IT sector will significantly improve our economy. It will reduce capital flight, create jobs, generate revenue and help to position Nigeria as an IT hub for the Region.
“As we join hands to develop the sector, I wish to request your support in the following 7 key areas: Regulation; Capacity Building; Local Content Development & Promotion; Digital Job Creation; Government Digital Service Promotion; Cyber Security; and Revenue Generation”
Instead of the affirmation, Dr. Pantami told the visitor “It is always important as a regulatory body to create an enabling environment that could drive ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship, No nation can move forward by relying solely on the government as the only catalyst and employer of labor ”.
Mr. Ojikutu Ahmed, president CAPDAN and leader of the delegation called on the Management of the agency to pay a courtesy visit to computer village so as to have a ground assessment, and witness the enterprising nature of the teeming youths of Nigeria.
The Computer Village, an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessories market located in a community called Otigba at Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, is estimated to generate over N300 billion to the economy annually.
The market is also regarded as the largest ICT accessory market in Africa as a perfect competition market, under the umbrella of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN).
Apart from the sales of information and technology accessory, the market also deals in the repair of mobile phones and computers. The computer and phone repairs could either be on software or hardware components depending on the nature of the fault.
The market and its wide range of business activities give opportunities to computer engineers and technicians who specialized in the repair of broken computers and mobile phone to transact businesses with dealers of ICT accessory, thereby creating job opportunities for them. The market is opened on a daily basis except on Sundays and public holidays.
