As newly appointed Ministers take up their roles, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, represented by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), has warmly congratulated Dr. Bosun Tijani, the new Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to Minister Tijani, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Chairman of NITRA, expressed the association’s excitement upon learning of his appointment. They commended his impressive track record, which has instilled optimism and enthusiasm within the ICT community.
“We have followed your steps in the ICT industry and are assured that without doubt, this is another position that you will make a great deal of impact in. You are not new in creative, developmental, and managerial affairs, but have been an active participant in decision-making and growth plans for the nation, hence our repose of trust in what you can do as the Minister of this expanded Ministry,” he enthused.
Mr. Onwuegbuchi emphasized NITRA’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry to achieve its established objectives. The association stands ready to collaborate effectively to support Dr. Tijani’s initiatives as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“We hope to work together to develop the industry and make the Ministry a reference point in the minds of Nigerians both at home and abroad,” he concluded.
Dr. Tijani is expected to spearhead the ongoing growth of the ICT sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, with a focus on driving the nation toward a fully digital economy.
It is noteworthy that the ICT sector significantly impacted Nigeria’s GDP in the first quarter of 2023, contributing 17.47% to the country’s Real Gross Domestic Product, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This amounted to approximately N3.1 trillion, reflecting a notable increase compared to the same quarter in 2022 when the sector contributed N2.86 trillion.
Furthermore, in Q1 2023, the sector accounted for 13.23% of the total nominal GDP, surpassing rates from both the same period in the previous year (10.55%) and the preceding quarter (10.42%). This remarkable growth represents a substantial increase of 41.84% within the quarter, marking a 21.30% point rise compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
NITRA, serving as the collective organization for ICT reporters and editors, comprises members from various media platforms, including print, broadcast, and online outlets. Through its events like ‘Breakfast With CEOs,’ ‘NITRA Innovative Forum,’ and ‘NITRA Technology Forum,’ the association actively fosters dialogues concerning the development of ICT subsectors and the industry as a whole.
