By: Theresa Igata

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said Nigeria cannot have any meaningful development without a commensurate level of development in mobile economy and technology.

He disclosed this at the 2018 Nigeria Mobile and Economy Summit, tagged: ‘Transforming Mobile Technologies into Economic opportunities’.

According to him, the ministry is poised to create affordable and reliable access to ICT services and infrastructure development through various plans and initiatives and going the ministry’s focus would be on growing a digital economy and local content, he noted.

“We as a nation must begin to see the development and use of mobile technology applications and tools as prerequisites to speedy national development. Therefore, from whichever way you look at it, Information and Communications Technology is very vital and pivotal for whatever any country wants to do to achieve development and growth”.

“Let me add at this juncture that this optimistic view of the transformational benefits of the mobile economy is predicated on the gains observed to date from the Government’s diversification process which is hinged on ICTs”.

“With government’s commitment to local content, the sector is expected to provide further opportunities for the economy to get the desired boost to enhance mobile innovation and governance in the country”.

“The Ministry has been charged with developing an all-inclusive framework for harnessing ICTs in collaboration with the organized private sector in the country, which will in turn help grow the supply chain to create a thriving digital economy,’’ he said.

For the President, Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), Bayero Agabi, access to mobile connectivity is vital for economic growth.

He recalled that with over 198 million lines and many innovations coming to play, Nigeria had become not only a development hub but a huge and thriving mobile hub.

He added that it was also an enabler of business models that supports efficient and sustainable delivery of key services through mobile-based platforms such as mobile money, music, and changes to the way we do business and interact.

“The impact of mobile technology is felt in all aspects of our lives today. Today, we celebrate this impact with the Nigeria Mobile Economy Awards. For many consumers across Nigeria, the mobile phone is not just a communication device but also the primary channel to get online, as well as a vital tool to access various life-enhancing services,’’Agabi said.

Highlight of the event was the award ceremony, where deserving organisations and individuals were given awards for their various contributions to the ICT sector.