More than 3000 communication and technology investors are expected to participate at the 5th Nigerian Communication and Technology summit scheduled to hold in the United Kingsdom, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said.
The two day event which is driven by the federal ministry of communication and technology and the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS), will hold from April 27-28 in London, according to Shittu ,who briefed journalists about the event in Abuja Tuesday.
The minister said the summit would feature communication companies, investors, funders, government leaders, business leaders, British business leaders, Diaspora business leaders, equipment and technology supplier, bankers, entrepreneurs, venture capitals, states and federal government agencies.
Major speakers at the event include: Shittu, Nigerian Ambassador to UK, Amb. George Oguntade, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Hon. Lanre Tejuosho and some captains of industry.
The minister said the aim of the summit “is to galvanize Nigerian businessmen and women in the Diaspora and their counterparts in UK Business environment along with international investors to establish new businesses in Nigeria.”
He also explained that the summit would be an opportunity to identify potential sources of finance, technology and technological skills that could boost the promotion and stimulation of enterprise and the creation of jobs in Nigeria.
In driving the preparation and success of the summit, the minister promised that the ministry would provide support for the programme and encourage participation of agencies under the ministry and other ministries and agencies.
Shittu however, listed the Nigerian ICT Road Map 2017-2020, the National Strategic Plan 2016-20124, and the broadband Plan as some of the strategies government intends to address some of the sector’s challenges.
He said: ‘‘The sector is the fastest growing at a rate over 25 percent and currently contributes about 10 percent to the country GDP. Nigeria’s over 60 percent internet penetration means that more 90m people would be online in the coming years. Cloud usage is expected to move more than double to 80 percent of businesses in the next year.’’
Speaking on the rationale behind the summit, the Executive Director of NDDIS, Bimbo Folayan also reiterated that 3000 potential Nigerian UK based investors are expected to show interest to invest in Nigeria in the areas of IT, telecoms and other aspects of ICT.
He said ‘‘The NDDIS was wet up to address the questions being raised by the Diaspora and other foreign investors who want to engage with businesses in Nigeria. Many Nigerian business owners and ideas generators are keen to participate in the economic boom of Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.”
Folayan also said the NDDIS is also aimed at mobilizing resourceful but silent business class of the Nigerian Diaspora who are keen to contribute to the development of Nigeria but have not been able to do so because of the lack of regulated opportunities, properly structured approach and necessary information.
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