Dr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications has said that Nigeria will not have any meaningful development without a commensurate level of development in digital economy and technology.
He stated this on Thursday at the 5th edition of the Nigeria Mobile Economy Summit and Expo (NIMES 2018) held in Lagos.
Shittu noted that Nigeria must begin to see the development and use of mobile technology applications and tools as prerequisites to speedy national development.
Acoording to him, “We at the Federal Ministry of Communications strongly believe that Nigeria cannot have any meaningful development without a commensurate level of development in digital economy and technology.
“We as a nation must begin to see the development and use of mobile technology applications and tools as prerequisites to speedy national development.
“Therefore, from whichever way you look at it, Information and Communications Technology is very vital and pivotal for whatever any country wants to do to achieve development and growth.
He emphasized that the transformational benefits of the mobile economy is predicated on the gains observed from Government’s diversification process which is hinged on ICTs.
He reiterated government’s commitment to local content, which is expected to provide further opportunities for the economy to get the desired boost to enhance mobile innovation and governance in the country.
He revealed that Nigeria is the fastest growing markets for mobile technology and trends in Africa, noting that the ministry is poised to create affordable and reliable access to ICT services and infrastructure development through their various plans and initiatives.
Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking & Payment system, Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) speaking at the event, said that the theme of this year’s Expo is in line with the apex bank’s objective to promote mobile money operations in the country.
He applauded Center for Cyber Awareness & Development (CECAD) and other stakeholders in the industry for promoting mobile innovations and application for the effective growth of Digital Payments System in Nigeria.
He added that the CBN in a bid to encouraged mobile technologies and digital payment system has come up with a Regulatory Framework for Mobile Payment Service in Nigeria.
He noted that the objective of the Framework is to provide an enabling environment for mobile payments services in reducing cash dominance in the Nigerian economy.
Fatokun stated that the evolution of mobile payment system the world over has shown a tremendous change in banking and payments services.
Dr Bayero Agabi, Executive Director, Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development, CECAD organizers of Nigeria Mobile Economy Summit and Expo (NIMES) said that Nigeria has become developed and huge thriving mobile hub.
He noted that the aim of the Award is to celebrate the impact of the Mobile Economy in the country.
He explained that for the country to move from 400 thousand lines in 2001 to well over 198 million lines shows that we have really become a huge and thriving mobile hub.
“For many consumers across Nigeria, the mobile phone is not just a communication device but also the primary channel to get online, as well as a vital tool to access various life-enhancing services.
“Mobile adoption in Nigeria has grown rapidly in recent years. Access to mobile connectivity is vital to empowering consumers and driving economic growth.
“Technology enhances access to many essential services, including education, health and utilities, while also enabling business models that support the efficient and sustainable delivery of key services through mobile-based platforms such as mobile money, music, and changes to the way we do business and interact,” Agabi added.