States and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have been tasked on the need to establish Ininformation and Communication Technology (ICT) Innovation and Entrepreneurship parks to address unemployment and other social challenges in the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami threw the challenge on Thursday at the ground breaking ceremony of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, Abuja.
Pantami said, ” I invite State Governments, the Organized Private Sector, Foreign Multinational Companies and High Net-worth Individuals to follow this example of the Federal Government and develop ICT innovation and entrepreneurship parks according to minimum standards NITDA will set, popularize and promote.”
The minister explained that it has become necessary to complement the present administration’s resolve to diversify National Economy and generate employment and wealth for the country.
Dr Pantami who listed the benefits of the Centre, argued that the economic challenges facing Nigeria provide opportunities for the people to embrace digital platforms for self empowerment.
Pantami said : “Mr President approved the building of this Centre on the 11th of November 2020, during the Federal Executive Council meeting.
“Prior to that, I made a detailed presentation to Council on the project and successfully answered around 22 questions in the robust debate that followed the presentation.
“The idea received overwhelming support of the Federal Executive Council because of the huge positive impact it can have on the lives of Nigerians.”
According to Pantami Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship are globally recognized as two prerequisites for achieving an indigenous Digital Economy.
“As such, a successful digital innovation and entrepreneurship programme will support us in the development of our digital economy and this is exactly want this Centre aims to achieve,” he added
Pantami said the growth of the sector resulted in an increased contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP at a value of 17.83% in Q2 ‘2020, adding that broadband penetration also peaked at 45 percent in November last year.
The Minister said ” the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre is another giant leap towards the development of our digital economy and diversification of our country’s economy.
“The Centre will be based on the ‘live, work and learn’ concept.”
