NCS Plans New Roadmap for ICT Sector
The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), an advocacy group in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has said it will soon release a new roadmap on ICT.
The initiative is expected to redirect the sector to reflect its new nomenclature of digital economy.
President of NCS, Prof Adesina Simon Sodiya, made the disclosure during a press briefing in Lagos, to announce the 2019 National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA), organised annually by the group.
Sodiya, who stressed the need for technology innovations, said the new roadmap, which would be released next month, would address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as it affects ICT development in the country.
According to him, the roadmap would also address the issue of technology skills shortage in Nigeria, in today’s digital era and how emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoTs), could be leveraged to further enhance speedy development of technology applications in Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to acknowledge the federal government’s renaming of the Ministry of Communications to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
“This is an indication that government is truly committed to the implementation of eGovernance and digital economy. NCS has been advocating for digital economy in the past few years, with focus on its benefits and strategies.
“Digital revolution will spur development and solve current social and economic challenges in Nigeria and other African countries. NCS believes that the new name has vested critical and sensitive responsibility on the shoulders of the Minister,
Dr. Ibrahim Pantami.”
Sodiya, who said innovation was key to national development, explained that innovation and commitment to the growth of the Nigerian ICT sector, were part of the criteria for honouring awardees at this year’s NITMA award, which held in Lagos.
Five nominees were selected for the 2019 IT Personality of the Year, which was won by the Founder and Group Managing Director of Interswitch, a payment gateway company, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe.
The Best Software Entrepreneur of the Year Award was won by the Chief Executive Officer of Union Systems Limited, Mr. Chuks Onyebuchi.
Chairman, Planning and Organising Committee for NITMA 2019, Mr. Femi Williams, said: “Aligned with the vision and values of NCS, nominees and awardees emerged through the use of tested and well established criteria, that was carried out through online voting. For NCS, it is essential to recognise excellence, hard work, exceptional accomplishments and extraordinary service to the industry and profession.”
Pantami, who is a Fellow of NCS was represented at the award ceremony by the Managing Director of Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs. Abimbola Alale.