The task of advancing the frontiers of Information and Communications Technology requires active participation and collaboration of all stakeholders in the industry, including government agencies, Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, has said.
The Minister stated this while sharing his vision for the industry, reputed to be contributing massively to the Nigerian economy at a special reception hosted in his honour by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Abuja last week.
According to him, the task of advancing the ICT industry is a collective responsibility, disclosing that he has presented some of the challenges and concerns facing the telecommunications sector to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for necessary actions and called for collaborations of all stakeholders in the telecommunications sector to enhance the growth of the subsector and entire ICT industry.
“Most of the issues raised were familiar issues as they had been brought before me earlier and I can assure you that actions are being taken towards resolving those issues for the development of the industry. More importantly, I would like all of you to join hands with the Ministry and its agencies to see how to take our industry forward. Let me be the first to be contacted for any problem in the industry. Furthermore, I want to pledge my commitment to work with all stakeholders in the sector and ask for their support, suggestions and constructive criticisms wherever necessary, in order to promote the growth of the sector for the betterment of all Nigerians,” he said.
While acknowledging that the special reception provided a platform for all industry stakeholders to be on the same page with regards to the need to work together towards advancing the frontier of the ICT industry, Pantami also proposed a periodic meeting of the Ministry and its agencies, associations and captains in the industry to regularly review issues and progress made in the industry.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Olusola Teniola, President of ATCON, stated that the idea of the reception was conceived to achieve three objectives – to formally present and introduce the Minister to the captains of the industry, to give the industry the opportunity to meet with him and share experiences on the state of the industry and where ATCON expect the industry to be after the Minister’s tenure, as well as to offer the Minister the opportunity to share his vision for the industry with the relevant stakeholders.
Teniola also told the Minister that ATCON was willing and ready to work with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy in order to understand how “we can shape, mold and create an industry that attracts further huge investments and create the environment where innovation creates a fitting eco-system for both the smaller and larger operators to co-exist in order to create positive shareholder’s value and deliver a consumer experience that exceeds expectations. Collaboration remains a critical factor in the success equation of our industry.”
Prominent personalities at the event include Musa Fuktur Istifanus, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy; Prof. Umar Danbata, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agencies (NITDA); and Dr. Abimbola Alale, Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).