With the natural talents embedded in Nigerians, especially the youths in the areas of software development coupled with many technology hubs and startups ecosystem, Nigeria could become the global skill supplier in the technology industry in Africa and the world in the next few years, the Chief Technology Officer, Africa Data Centre, (ADC), Dr. Krishnan Ranganath claimed.
Dr. Krishnan, who spoke with Thisday reporter on the sideline after receiving an award of excellence from Gage awards on behalf of Africa Data Centre, noted that the Nigerian economy is presently being driven by technology, therefore there is the likelihood that the technology subsector would grow faster in the country than any other country in Africa.
“Nigeria has the potential to become a global skill supplier in the technology industry in Africa and the world. It is one of the fastest-growing markets in Africa, which adopts technology much faster. The country’s banking ecosystem has one of the strongest IT infrastructures in Africa,” he said.
He believes Nigerian youths within and outside the country are enterprising and industrious but lack a bit of direction from the beginning owing to inadequate and proper orientation and direction from the beginning.
While urging the government to ensure that the ease of doing business is much more practicalized, Dr. Krishnan stated that there is a need for the government to interlink the online processes involved in the ease of doing for ease and efficiency.
“Information flow should be much cordial and coordinated. The private and public sector need to focus more on Nigeria-originated IT applications and solutions, in order to promote locally produced applications,” he advised.
He also makes a case that the government should come up with a plan or action point, that will give preference to Nigeria’s IT software developers, so that they can be encouraged, rather than brought from outside.
“Government should come up with some scholarship programmes and capacity development initiatives or tax holidays to ICT companies and startups as part of efforts to boost that industry. Unless you invest in that industry, you will not get anything commensurate,” he advised further.