The Federal Government delegation on Tuesday at the ongoing GITEX Global in Dubai, UAE, has assured global investors of their safety and improved infrastructure as the country prepares to host GITEX Nigeria from September 1 to 4, 2025.
Speaking at the GITEX Nigeria Breakfast meeting, the head of Nigeria’s delegation, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullai, said Nigeria is ready and committed to hosting the world next year.
Abdullah, who said the future of Nigeria holds great promise, informed that President Bola Tinubu, is very keen on developing Nigeria via technology, stressing that Mr. President has mandated the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA to enhance Nigeria’s development through technology.
He said the ministry is working assiduously to ensure technology becomes the centre of attraction in Nigeria, stressing that ICT currently contributes over 16 per cent ahead of Oil and Gas, which contributes about seven per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
According to him, Nigeria is building infrastructure to meet global demands and doing everything possible to secure the country and its citizens.
He said the Ministry of Tech is currently working on five pillars, including digital literacy; policy and building of enabling business environment; and infrastructure development among others.
On his part, the Senate Committee Chairman on ICT, Senator Salisu Afolabi, GITEX is coming to Nigeria and the country is ably ready.
Assuring investors of immense opportunities, he said 70 per cent of Nigeria’s over 220 million people are youths, which is a larger market opportunity.
He said the National Assembly is also working to ensure there are adequate laws favourable that can promote investments and guarantee return.
Afolabi urged investors to forget about the bad perception about Nigeria, stressing that though the risk is high, the benefits are also very high.
Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Tubosun Alake, the state boasts of over 2000 startups with over $9 billion worth.
He said the Federal Government is encouraging development of the ecosystem, especially with the Startup Act, targeted at regulating the ecosystem to ensure fair play and returns on investments.
Executive Vice President, DWTC, organiser of GITEX Global, Trixie LohMirmand, Dubai is excited to host the forum in Nigeria come 2025.
LohMirmand said it will be an opportunity for the country’s Startup ecosystem to be mentored, exposed and marketed for investors.
Describing Nigeria as a mythical beast with over 220 million people, she said the country should be a powerhouse in the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
According to her, there are high risks and high rewards for investors.
She said due to the resilience of Nigeria and Nigerians, “they can overcome their challenges.”
