Despite the outcry from the generality of Nigerians about the parlous state of their country’s economy, one sector, the ICT sector, has held its own in helping to boost the economy with much needed FDI.
Dr. Bosun Tijani who is the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, quoting copiously from data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, affirmed that “The data from the NBS continues to show a positive trajectory for our sector and economy as a whole.” The trigger for this comment? The over $191m the ICT sector has already secured in the first quarter of 2024, by which measure, he said, “we have already surpassed the total FDI into the Telecommunications sector for the whole of 2023”
This clearly calls for rejoicing in view of the unsavory predictions propagated mainstream and online in the media.
Dr. Tijani therefore, for this reason and more, is of the view that the sector is a catalyst for national economic growth. He therefore applauded the efforts of stakeholders, saying “The growth in FDI is about confidence in the potential of our sector and a reflection of the hard work that all ICT stakeholders have put in to ensure that we reverse the slowdown in our sector so that it remains a catalyst for growth”
The Minister is of the view that Q2 will produce even more spectacular results as long as it builds on “this momentum supported by the necessary reforms and policies that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is putting in place to stimulate inclusive growth in the digital economy and the broader economy “.
