#NGTF2015: Made-in-Nigeria SIM cards to lift ICT sector in 2015, Bindir says

[su_heading size=”14″ align=”left”]Made-in-Nigeria SIM cards will develop the local ICT sector in 2015 and beyond says Dr Umar Bindir, Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) of Nigeria, in this article for the Nigeria Technology Forecast 2015 (#NGTF2015) the technology thought leadership annual by Technology Times, offers insights into Top 10 Key Trends that will shape and define the Nigerian technology landscape in 2015 and beyond.[/su_heading]

Challenges facing Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Some of the challenges facing sustainable development in Nigeria include the following:

Lack of Integrative Approach to the Development of Indigenous Technology

The National Innovation System comprising of the research institutes, tertiary institutions and public/private laboratories lack synergy in their operations. There is also poor linkage between the National Innovation System and industry. These have therefore created a technology gap between the research results emanating from the National Innovation System and the needs of industry.

Low Visibility of Technology in Nigeria

The visibility of the technologies in Nigeria is weak. Presently, the technologies operate merely at a subsistence level. They are not recognised or licensed as the culture of intellectual property in the country is low. Consequently, about 80 -98% of the ICT being deployed virtually in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy are foreign.

Lack of Physical Infrastructure and Technology Strategy

Generally, the physical infrastructure and technology strategy that are required to build, maintain and exploit technological assets are lacking in the various institutions in the country.

[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”Dr Umar Bindir, Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP)”]“There should also be proper linkage between the National Innovation System and Industry. This will help to develop relevant technologies that will boost the private sector and foster the growth and development of the economy.”[/blockquote]

Low Capacity in absorbing and domesticating Imported Foreign Technologies

There is poor absorptive capacity on the part of the technology recipients in the country to absorb and domesticate the imported technologies to suit the local environment due to poor physical infrastructures, lack of support structures, non-availability of modern laboratories and the required human resources in some specialized fields, among others.

Technology Insight

In my view, the following should be put in place in order to address the aforementioned challenges:

Creation of Enabling Environment for the Development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

An enabling environment that will facilitate the development of good and solid foundation for the development of ICT infrastructural facilities in the country need to be created.

Transformation of the Educational System

The educational system from the basic to the tertiary level should be transformed with ICT content to prepare them for the generation of the critical mass of highly qualified and specialized professionals needed in the various fields of human endeavour to facilitate the rapid industrialization of the country.

Intellectual Capacity and Intellectual Property Culture Development

The intellectual capacity of Nigerians needs to be developed to be ICT compliant. The culture of intellectual property should also be developed to facilitate the development and exploitation of technologies locally and spur the industrialization of the economy as done in other countries.

Provision of facilities in the Schools and Tertiary Institutions

Nigerian schools at all levels should be well equipped with modern facilities such as Internet, up to date laboratories, physical and virtual libraries, etc.

Synergy among Research Institutes and Linkage between the National Innovation System and Industry

There is the need for synergy among the research institutes and the tertiary institutions. This will energise the research institutes to be well-grounded and positioned to solve problems in all sectors of the economy especially in the areas of strategic needs such as in the energy, health and agricultural sectors, etc. There should also be proper linkage between the National Innovation System and Industry. This will help to develop relevant technologies that will boost the private sector and foster the growth and development of the economy.

 [blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”DR UMAR BINDIR, Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP)”]“The industrialisation policy which was already put in place with a policy thrust that the telephone companies operating in Nigeria should commence the manufacturing of their SIM cards in the country effective from June 2015 will act as a propellant for increased local content in the ICT sector. This will further create avenue for the spring up of more local firms and generate employment in the ICT sector.”[/blockquote]

Technology Forecast

Irrespective of the downturn in the economy caused by the cut in global oil price, the major development taking place in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector will impact positively on the operations and activities of the other sectors of the Nigerian economy which are driven by ICT.

For instance, the recent launch of the Premier Tier III Lekki Data Centre by MainOne Cable Company Limited with its cost effective model will make more bundle available with improved Internet accessibility and connectivity options to end users at a cheaper rate. This will facilitate access to communication through e-mail, teleconferencing, video-conferencing both in the public and private sectors, etc. The positive effect of this is that it will result in rapid and efficient collaboration among the actors in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy and enhance their operational and cost efficiency. The Data Centre will also facilitate the implementation of Nigeria broadband initiatives.

The Centre will also enhance the effective functioning of virtual libraries in Nigeria and facilitate access to more educational materials across all levels of school. This will encourage cooperative learning and stimulate increased interaction among scholars and teachers and also promote the development of research activities in the country.

In addition, the industrialisation policy which was already put in place with a policy thrust that the telephone companies operating in Nigeria should commence the manufacturing of their SIM cards in the country effective from June 2015 will act as a propellant for increased local content in the ICT sector. This will further create avenue for the spring up of more local firms and generate employment in the ICT sector.