Expert tasks FG on technology hubs

Mr Yemi Odutola, Head, Communications, Women Technology Empowerment Centre (WTEC) has urged Federal Government to formulate laws and policies that would boost the development of local technology hubs in the country.

Odutola said this while speaking with ROYAL NEWS in Lagos on Sunday.

He said that government needed to create enabling environment to pave way for the establishment of more technology hubs in Nigeria.

He said that payment of lower taxes by technical outfits would also boost the sector.

“Also the government needs to intensify its efforts by ensuring the inclusion of ICT in every school’s curriculum and this is essential because to boost technology in the country, it has to be driven from the education sector.

“The Federal Government should look into building more infrastructure in the technology space to attract critical investors,” he said.

Speaking on how government could key into youths that were talented in ICT, he advised the government to accept local content policy wholly by purchasing home-made software instead of importing foreign ones to enhance technology production in the country.

On the level of ICT development in his area, the IT expert said: “At Sabo Yaba, Lagos, it is still very poor. The interest is there but the cost of devices and internet is a big discouragement.

“Also the exposure to people here is still low too. I believe that with more awareness on the importance of technology more residents will key into it.’’

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Mr Jide Awe, another ICT expert corroborated the claim.

Speaking on how government could attain its dream of digital economy by 2030, Awe said the government should work more deliberately with stakeholders in the technology sector.

Awe, also the Chief Executive Officer of Jidaw Systems Ltd., said working deliberately with key industry players would help establish strategic partnerships, initiatives, investment programmes and incentives to achieve practical results.

“It is also vital that the government should promote a culture that appreciates technology and innovative practices in the society, governance, education, critical sectors and the economy.

“Nigeria must foster and embrace a culture of digital innovation focused on developing, deploying digital technologies to add and create new values in all sectors of the society, ” he said.