Professionals in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria, say no modern economy can exist without fundamental ICT infrastructure, as these are tools for national and economic development.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th COMBIT Africa 2009 exhibition and conference, Ernest Ndukwe; the executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said, "It has been widely established that the economic development of a nation can be accelerated by improvements in the country's ICT infrastructure. That is to say, that no modern economy can exist without an integral ICT infrastructure.
"This is because ICT provides a veritable platform for development across the social, economic, political and other sectors if well harnessed."
Supporting Mr. Ndukwe's assertion, Emmanuel Ekuwem, the president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said, "For us in Nigeria, the immediate point of interest is the expected contributions of ICT to the actualisation of Vision 20-2020."
Mr. Ekuwen added that ICT development is also aimed at meeting the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Infrastructure needs
Some of the infrastructure identified include broadband, network infrastructure, knowledge, and spectrum, which will be complemented by initiatives from the private sector.
Mr. Ndukwe explained that access to affordable bandwidth, increase in broadband penetration and increased deployment of fibre optics and network capabilities are required for the expected increase in the data communications traffic.
"At the NCC, we are committed to rapid broadband deployment and have established structures to realise this goal. We believe that better broadband connectivity would unleash Nigeria's economic potential," said Mr. Ndukwe.
The NCC, however, noted that for Nigeria to move in line with current global ICT trends, there is the need for improvement in network capacity, more efficient use of spectrum that will ensure efficient deployment of new technologies, while operators should work in line with global economic business that will impact on the country.
Improving science and technology
Admitting that there have been some improvements in some sectors of the industry, Lanre Ajayi, the president of the Nigeria Internet Group, noted that the science and technology sector is still lagging behind and should be looked into.
"Technology growth in Nigeria is still backward and the only way for us to improve on this is to improve our educational system. The Federal Government should work on our education curricula, where students from the early stage are taught to use technology devices and have access to the Internet in homes and in schools. This is also very importance, if we want this ICT to develop and for Federal Government to actualise its vision 20-2-20," he added.
But Mr. Ekuwen argued, "Surrounding one with a web of ICT devices, facilities and accessories does not translate into digital empowerment of individuals. But only when the devices are put to use by digitally literate and competent individuals and organisations to boost productivity, then ICT would have achieved its purpose. ICT is a tool/means and not an end."
The event which was tagged, "Leveraging on Information and Communications Technologies to Survive and Thrive through a Recession," highlighted issues relating to growth in the telecoms sector.
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