I write in response to a recent report published by nairametrics via https://search.app/kQ9SN that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Morocco with SecDojo, a France-based cybersecurity training and upskilling firm, to build Nigeria’s cybersecurity resilience and establish a Cybersecurity Academy.
This development is absolutely demeaning and a letdown on local content. Nigeria has powerful men and women doing great in the cyberspace including the Department of National Cyber-Crime Centre of the Nigerian Police Force.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) CSL research published via www.proshare.co, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector's growth rate has declined for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching a five-year low of 5.43% y/y in Q1 2024. This represents a 47.39% decrease from the 10.32% growth rate recorded in Q1 2023 and a 14.26% decline from the 6.33% growth rate in Q4 2023. Despite this decline, the ICT sector contributed 17.89% to Nigeria’s total GDP in Q1 2024, up from 17.47% in Q1 2023 and 16.66% in Q4 2023.
Why are Nigerians so bent on not believing in their capabilities and promoting what they have as a resource? Why do Nigerians always look down on themselves when it has to do with something that'll promote the nation and add value to local content? Why do we take opportunities out to boost other country's economy and neglect ours?
Nigeria, no doubt has the human resources equipped with better knowledge and skills to establish more IT skills development centers across the country. Mr. DG, I am passionately pleading for you to reach out to them and patronize them. Learn to think Nigeria, act Nigeria and put Nigeria first. By so doing, you'll among other things, encourage economic diversification, jettison dependency on so-called expatriates and also promote indigenous participation in the strategic IT upskilling. Other advantages are the promotion of skills export and technology transfer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there are Bills at the National Assembly which have passed through public hearing, waiting for Mr. President to sign. The Bill to establish IT University at Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State is one of such.
The NITDA Director General should lend his support to that Bill wholeheartedly and other efforts notable Nigerians are making in the cyberspace to position the country to enviable height.
Nigeria must remain strong in the face of these challenges and take ICT upskilling seriously by encouraging our local entrepreneurs in this sector. Our hands are on the plough and we must not look back.
We must, as a matter of fact, patriotism and urgency, maintain this momentum and continue to drive the process home without looking back. This is strictly in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR.
The DG of NITDA should be called to order by the authorities to retract his steps and promote local content. Signing MoU with an ingenious company with better capacity will not be a bad idea.
*Ms Ogbeifun, a human rights activist and founder, Society for Empowered Youth Development (SEYD) writes from Benin City, Edo State.
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