The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has requested Nokia Networks to increase its investments in Research and Development (R&D) to support the growth of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria.
Maida spoke when a delegation from Nokia Networks of Finland led by the Deputy Minister, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Jarno Syrjala, visited the commission to explore further opportunities for mutually-beneficial relationships.
He told the delegation that the Nigerian government is keenly interested in harnessing Nokia’s capabilities through technology transfer to support Nigerian youths in technical skills.
The Nigerian government is targeting training of three million youths in ICT skills to advance the country’s digital economy. “We are keen on getting the youths employed, as our ministry is targeting three million youths for skills acquisition,” the EVC said.
Maida informed the Nokia contingent that the commission places primacy in R&D as the bedrock of any knowledge economy, and for advancement of innovation.
Syrjala said the purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration to support Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.
