Journalists in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, under the aegis of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), have embraced Dr. Bosun Tijani as the newly appointed Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, assuring the minister of their support on the growth and development of the industry.
In a letter to the Minister, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that the news of his appointment was a cheery one knowing his antecedent to deliver viable results in past endeavours.
“We have followed your steps in the ICT industry and are assured that without doubt, this is another position that you will make a great deal of impact in.
You are not new in creative, developmental, and managerial affairs, but have been an active participant in decision-making and growth plans for the nation, hence our repose of trust in what you can do as the Minister of this expanded Ministry,” he said.
Onwuegbuchi further assured the Minister that NITRA is willing to work with the Ministry to ensure the achievement of set goals, noting that NITRA is on standby for any collaboration that will guarantee the success of Dr. Tijani’s endeavors as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“We hope to work together to develop the industry and make the Ministry a reference point in the minds of Nigerians both at home and abroad,” he said.
Industry watchers’ expectation is that the Minister will maintain the upward trajectory of ICT contributions to the GDP with a focus on leveraging ICT to transform Nigeria into a full digital economy.
Latest reports according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that Nigeria’s ICT sector contributed significantly to Nigeria’s GDP (Real Gross Domestic Product) in the first quarter of 2023 to a value of 17.47%.
According to the NBS report, this amounts to about N3.1 trillion of the total N17.75 trillion of the country’s real GDP in the quarter. This is a notable increase in the ICT sector’s GDP contribution, surpassing the figures for the first quarter of 2022 which stood at N2.86 trillion.
In the first quarter of 2023, the sector contributed 13.23% to the total nominal GDP, surpassing the rates recorded in both the same quarter of the previous year (10.55%) and the preceding quarter (10.42%). This nominal growth represents a substantial increase of 41.84% during the quarter, marking a 21.30% point rise compared to the corresponding period of 2022.
The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) is the umbrella body for ICT reporters and editors. Its membership is drawn across Print, Broadcast, and Online media organizations, and spreads across the country. With its Quarterly and Annual events, which include ‘Breakfast With CEOs’; ‘NITRA Innovative Forum’; ‘NITRA Technology Forum’, among others, the Association has been able to drive conversations on the development of the ICT sub-sectors and the industry as a whole.
By Patrick Aigbokhan
