Shittu Defends the Need for ICT Banks, ICT Varsities

Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu, Minister for Communications has said there is a need for ICT banks and ICT Universities for the sector to develop to its maximum capacity. He made this known at the Indo-Africa ICT Expo held in Lagos on the 6th September, 2017.

Shittu who was appealing to the Delegates of African Development Bank and organizers of the Indo-Africa ICT expo held on 6 September at Eko hotels and Suites laid emphasis on agriculture and industries whose sector had a dedicated bank to meet the special requirement needed and the impact it has had in developing those sectors.

He Said: “ICT development banks are needed because the commercial banks charges on loan are too high to accommodate the unique the need of IT. There is Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industries which have been contributing to the sector immensely.”

While appealing to the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) and National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), the organizers of the event, and the generality of the India business community to invest in the ICT university, Shittu said students from this university will be equipped with practical knowledge and be industry ready graduate and can compete globally.

“Entrepreneurs have said many graduates who study computer science from Nigerian Universities are not equipped with practical knowledge and most have to travel India and America for practical knowledge and be global certification. This is what the ICT universities which will be in 6 geopolitical zones offering specialized courses,” he said.

“Two American Universities have agreed to adopt two of the six campuses. I Will be in Poland before the month runs out to discuss about the University with some stakeholders and I would want the india community to come to adopt one of the campuses. We know the IIIT is a global respected Institute in the world of IT.”

While Vincent Sowah Odotei, the Deputy Minister of Communications, Ghana and Michael Debretsion, Minister of Communications, Ethopia to Nigeria stated their plans to expand the ICT sector for a diversified economy, Barrister Shittu said the Federal Government has in plans to build 1000 solar mast in 1000 rural areas in Nigeria’ to enable an increase in the rate of mobile users and internet subscribers in the country which is currently at 85.5% and 70% respectively for easy business transactions.

Manoj Sinha, Minister of Communications India, in his speech pledged alliance to support the ICT sector of Africa and Nigeria in particular and also listed numerous achievements which he encouraged the Nigerian Government to emulate for economy development.

The Organizers of the event under the Umbrella of the Department of Telecommunications and Department of Commerce, Government of India said that Africa and India share a lot of similarities and that gives an edge to say ‘Indian technology is the best for Africa’.

It was noted that the first and second edition of the ICT expo were held in Kenya and this is third edition which is to major of west African countries.