Stakeholders in the telecommunications industry have said that president Muhammadu Buhari should embrace innovation and prioritise the sector in the next four years of his administration.
Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, while congratulating president Muhammadu Buhari and his vice Professor Yemi Osinbajo on their re-election said they should end multiple taxes witnessed in the sector.
He said the industry required the highest level of protection from government, stating that the telecoms should be declared as critical national economic and security infrastructure.
Director-general Delta State Innovation Hub (DSHuB), Chris Uwaje, said ICT which currently contributes more than 10 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) remains perhaps the best accelerator, assurance and trustworthy strategy for the creation of massive wealth for Nigeria.
“Every leader can always be convinced and encouraged to listen to viable alternatives, embrace innovation and new directions that lead to change dynamics for national development. This is instructive, strategic and required, especially when the concept creates more effective and productive ways to deliver sustainable development.
Uwaje said Muhamadu Buhari was the only Nigerian president who has graced the e-Nigeria IT event for three consecutive years of his four-year tenure as a civilian president.
“Not only that, under his watch, executive orders on innovation and patronage of ICT local content were issued for implementation.”
Another telecoms expert, Kehinde Aluko, said Professor Osinbajo should encourage more youths to go into innovation.
He said this was the future and government should take a cue from other advanced economies, move from analogue system of doing things to digitisation.
He stated that, Nigeria needs to move higher up the global value chain and “this means nurturing our own R&D talent and capabilities. Technological progress and innovation plays a central role in a country’s economic progress. In this regard, the clarion call for the nation to focus on innovation and creativity should be heeded and immediate action taken by all sectors, especially ICT.”
