Adebayo Shittu, communications minister, says the federal government wants the private sector to invest in its planned National ICT Park in Abuja

THE federal government is looking for private sector investment to actualise Abuja National Information Communications and technology, ICT, Park. Adebayo Shittu, minister of communications, said the park will create a platform for the acquisition of ICT knowledge, appropriate initiatives, incubating tech ideas into viable start ups, research and development, testing and certifications of ICT solutions in Nigeria.

At the business roundtable for the Financing of the National ICT Park, Shittu said ICT/Telecom industry is key to the economy. He noted that the park is also an avenue for the youthful population and consumers to unlock the potential in the sector through policies and programmes that have the capacity to boost the economy in collaboration with stakeholders.

The minister said the objective of the meeting was to appraise the major stakeholders and the private companies operating in the ICT ecosystem of the ministry’s plan to establish ICT Park and to solicit their cooperation and support towards its success, execution, and operationalisation of the project. He noted that ICT Park projects are capital intensive hence the need for industry stakeholders to partner ministry of communications to establish the project in order to bridge the practical skills gap that exists between the academia and the industry.

“The collaboration between the ministry of communications and Abuja Technology Village, ATV, had led to a 6344sqm of commercial land earmarked for the establishment of a National ICT Park within the free trade zone owned and operated by the ATV. The event will give insight into ATV free trade zone; showcase the conceptual model of the proposed National ICT Park, present investment and partnership opportunities to venture capitalist, academic institutions, business angels, investment bankers and development partners, he said.

Shittu said the project is part of government’s preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution, which is predicted to happen globally in the near future noting that the establishment of the centre will encourage investment in the ICT sector and complement the proposed ICT university which will also produce the required skilled manpower for Africa to partake in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

“ICTs are essential in driving entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth as well as building strong interface between the academia and the industry, and we want industry participation and synergy on this project that will be of immense benefit to the ICT ecosystem be it the student community, the academia, and the industry.”

– Jan. 18, 2018 @ 15:05 GMT |