The Federal Government says it has achieved 100 per cent in
the production of Subscriber Identification Module cards as well as the
manufacture of many components of cell phones used in the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa
Pantami, said this when featured in a special News Agency of Nigeria interview
programme in Abuja.
He said the government was partnering with private sectors
on the local production of SIM cards, cell phones, tablets, and other ICT
facilities.
Pantami said that the local production was a sequel to the
national policy on local content signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the
promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector.
Pantami said this was in line with the Nigerian government’s
commitment to ensure that Nigerians become active participants in the different
sectors of the economy.
He said the policy had addressed pertinent areas, including
manufacturing, services, people, research, and development, thus further
advancing the goals of the nation.
Pantami said developing the capacity of Nigerians would
ensure an enhanced role for Nigerians in the design and manufacture of devices
and in meeting the manpower requirements in the sector.
“The main aim of the policy transcends the literary
translation to more of a technical one when Mr President said Nigerians must
produce what we eat, and eat what we produce.
“In the digital economy sector, we consider this statement
not just the literary meaning of agriculture but extends to other sectors.
“We produce what we want to consume in Nigeria and
manufacture what we need in ICT sector, telecommunication sector,” he said.
The minister, however, said the policy had ensured local
manufacturing, developing skills, sponsoring, and mentoring of other Nigerians
to acquire the same skills to serve the country.
“After launching the
policy until date, SIM cards are being manufactured in Nigeria.
“Before this administration, SIM cards were being imported
into the country but today Nigeria has the capacity to produce SIM cards for
the African continent.
“In Nigeria, we manufacture smartphones, we have been
licensed internationally and we partner others in the production of smartphones
and tablets,” he said.
Pantami said in the next few months and years, Industrial
Training Fund in collaboration with other private sectors would manufacture
phones that could be exported.
“The policy is to make sure we manufacture what we
patronise, and patronise what we manufacture.
“On 12th of February, Mr President signed the Executive
order on local content patronage where Federal institutions were directed to
give priority and preferences to citizens when it comes to consulting work and
many more.’’
The minister said the production of SIM cards and ICT
facilities were beyond reducing importation, adding it would increase job
creation as well as bring about large produce for citizens.
He said the country was faced with the challenges of
unemployment and unemployability “where graduates have relevance certificates
sometimes without the basic skills and opportunities.
“Where ICT items are being produced locally, they can get
hands-on and get skills required. It will bring an end to brain drain as many
Nigeria are leaving the country to other countries.
“It will support us in strengthening the value of our local
currency; one of the major challenges with Naira today is more of our being a
consuming nation rather than a producing nation.
“Almost whatever you need, you discover it is being
imported. So, it is putting so much pressure on our local currency,” he said.
NAN
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