2007: Experts predict bright prospects for ICT
Jonah Iboma
Experts have predicted a bright year for Nigeria in the information technology sector in 2007, based on gains made in 2006. A cross section of stakeholders who spoke with our correspondent, said that accessibility to information technology tools would increase while mergers and acquisitions would thrive.
According to the Principal Consultant of TC-QA Associates, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, Nigeria could witness an “IT revolution” this year, if the gains made in the sector were sustained.
Akingbade, who is an expert in software testing, noted that with greater understanding of IT, many firms and individuals would realise its importance and would increasingly adopt this in their businesses.
He predicted the growth of the outsourcing services, saying that the dearth of expertise in certain aspects of the sector would make people to seek ways out of their problems.
Also, speaking on the issue, the Managing Director of Kemson Concepts, Mr. Ben Aduli, predicted the growth of the data communications aspect of the telecoms sector as well as possible mergers and acquisitions.
According to him, with the voice segment already doing very well, operators would be looking at other areas of growth such as the Internet and other data-based services.
He said, “I expect operators to become more focused on data services. Voice has been successful, and where else do you expect growth to come? It has to be data services.”
On possible mergers and acquisitions, Aduli said this would become imperative given the manner the telecoms sector was shaping. He particularly singled out private telecoms firms operating as fixed wireless access operators and Internet service providers for acquisition by bigger players in the sector.
“PTOs and ISPs cannot sustain their present operational mode. Consolidation will take place, not because they may love to do so, but the market reality will leave them with no choice,” he added.
Besides, he predicted that a successful introduction of third generation (3G) services would also promote the growth of the data and video segment of mobile telephony, adding that accessibility would increase once the Universal Service Provision Fund of the Ministry of Communications was well administered.
The Coordinator of the Nigeria Cybercrime Working Group, Mr. Basil Udotai, expressed hope that technology users would adopt greater measures to ensure the better security of their IT infrastructure. According to him, this would be vital for the development of electronic commerce and online transactions.
He said once there was greater security in the online environment, public confidence would increase and more people would be encouraged to use IT for their daily activities and grow the sector.
The stakeholders also predicted that Nigeria would witness greater PC penetration once the Computer for All Nigerians initiative takes proper root in the coming year.
Experts have predicted a bright year for Nigeria in the information technology sector in 2007, based on gains made in 2006. A cross section of stakeholders who spoke with our correspondent, said that accessibility to information technology tools would increase while mergers and acquisitions would thrive.
According to the Principal Consultant of TC-QA Associates, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, Nigeria could witness an “IT revolution” this year, if the gains made in the sector were sustained.
Akingbade, who is an expert in software testing, noted that with greater understanding of IT, many firms and individuals would realise its importance and would increasingly adopt this in their businesses.
He predicted the growth of the outsourcing services, saying that the dearth of expertise in certain aspects of the sector would make people to seek ways out of their problems.
Also, speaking on the issue, the Managing Director of Kemson Concepts, Mr. Ben Aduli, predicted the growth of the data communications aspect of the telecoms sector as well as possible mergers and acquisitions.
According to him, with the voice segment already doing very well, operators would be looking at other areas of growth such as the Internet and other data-based services.
He said, “I expect operators to become more focused on data services. Voice has been successful, and where else do you expect growth to come? It has to be data services.”
On possible mergers and acquisitions, Aduli said this would become imperative given the manner the telecoms sector was shaping. He particularly singled out private telecoms firms operating as fixed wireless access operators and Internet service providers for acquisition by bigger players in the sector.
“PTOs and ISPs cannot sustain their present operational mode. Consolidation will take place, not because they may love to do so, but the market reality will leave them with no choice,” he added.
Besides, he predicted that a successful introduction of third generation (3G) services would also promote the growth of the data and video segment of mobile telephony, adding that accessibility would increase once the Universal Service Provision Fund of the Ministry of Communications was well administered.
The Coordinator of the Nigeria Cybercrime Working Group, Mr. Basil Udotai, expressed hope that technology users would adopt greater measures to ensure the better security of their IT infrastructure. According to him, this would be vital for the development of electronic commerce and online transactions.
He said once there was greater security in the online environment, public confidence would increase and more people would be encouraged to use IT for their daily activities and grow the sector.
The stakeholders also predicted that Nigeria would witness greater PC penetration once the Computer for All Nigerians initiative takes proper root in the coming year.
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