Mr. Adebayo Shittu, minister of
Communications, has stated that plans are underway by the Federal Government to
set up an ICT Development Bank that will provide funding for the industry
inoder to promote and encourage young entrepreneurs in Information
Communication Technology, ICT.
Communications, has stated that plans are underway by the Federal Government to
set up an ICT Development Bank that will provide funding for the industry
inoder to promote and encourage young entrepreneurs in Information
Communication Technology, ICT.
The minister disclosed this in
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the launch of the Bayelsa Ecosystem and Ignition
Week, organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria in collaboration with the
Bayelsa State Government.
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the launch of the Bayelsa Ecosystem and Ignition
Week, organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria in collaboration with the
Bayelsa State Government.
Represented by Mr. Peter Jack,
former director general, National Information Technology Development Agency,
NITDA, the minister noted that the ICT Bank will among other services, reduced
the dependence on commercial banks for funding and also offer lower interest
rates and grow the ICT industry.
former director general, National Information Technology Development Agency,
NITDA, the minister noted that the ICT Bank will among other services, reduced
the dependence on commercial banks for funding and also offer lower interest
rates and grow the ICT industry.
He hinted that in pursuant of the
ministry’s mandate of leveraging ICT in its entire ramifications and in order
to promote local manpower of ICT sector, the ministry was implementing as part
of the 2017 budget, incubation hubs across the six geopolitical zones in the
country so as to boost empowerment and growth in the sector.
ministry’s mandate of leveraging ICT in its entire ramifications and in order
to promote local manpower of ICT sector, the ministry was implementing as part
of the 2017 budget, incubation hubs across the six geopolitical zones in the
country so as to boost empowerment and growth in the sector.
He said: “The ministry is also
thinking of promoting the establishment of the ICT development bank just like
the Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry so as to promote and assist the
immediate funding of the ICT industry instead of depending on commercial banks
which have high-interest rates.
thinking of promoting the establishment of the ICT development bank just like
the Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry so as to promote and assist the
immediate funding of the ICT industry instead of depending on commercial banks
which have high-interest rates.
“The current administration at
the federal level has been conscious of the role of ICT and has, therefore,
been committed over the last three years to ensuring that ICT facilities and
services are expanded rapidly across the country.
the federal level has been conscious of the role of ICT and has, therefore,
been committed over the last three years to ensuring that ICT facilities and
services are expanded rapidly across the country.
We are working round the clock to
ensure that very soon the broadband penetration in the country would have risen
above 20 percent. Let me also state here that the achievement of 30 percent
growth in broadband by the end of 2018 is sacrosanct.”
ensure that very soon the broadband penetration in the country would have risen
above 20 percent. Let me also state here that the achievement of 30 percent
growth in broadband by the end of 2018 is sacrosanct.”
