Nigeria's Information and Communications Technology for Development, ICT4D plan document was launched in Abuja on May 18, 2010. Its objective is to facilitate ICT growth for the development of the economy economy.

Dr Jimson Olufuye, president of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) says leadership will be a critical factor in the successful implementation of the National ICT4D plan.  Dr Olufuye talked to the Vanguard during the launch of the ICT4D.

What is your vision for ICT4D and its chances of successful implementation?

Once a country has a policy, it must have a strategic plan to drive the policy home. We have been delayed for almost seven years in getting the ICT4D off the ground. The ICT4D is really the blue print for development. To achieve the economic vision 20-2020, Nigeria must embrace ICT.

What has caused the delay in implementing the project?

Leadership is the problem because the leader is the one that gives direction for others to follow. Unless the government decides to act, the nation cannot move forward.  ITAN’s role as the private sector entity is that of advocacy.

The telecommunications sector has advanced tremendously in the last decade, at least in the voice aspect of it. There is no corresponding growth in Information Technology (IT).  In the ICT sector (comprised of four segments - communication, hardware, software, and services) communication has experienced the biggest growth because a policy enabled it to do so.  We now need to develop our capacity to develop and manufacture software. Egypt has developed a thriving software manufacturing industry and is hitting the one-billion dollar mark in software export.

How will the existing infrastructure problems, in particular power, impact on the system?

We can’t sit down and blame power - telecoms has worked with generators. However the government must liberalise the energy sector. Power licensing should be devolved so that communities can be supported to have their own turbines for independent power generation.

What measures can be put in place to tackle the inadequate indigenous capacity in the ICT sector?

The capacity has to be built up. Government must have an IT policy that supports growth. The private sector, which has the financial muscle, expects the government to create an enabling business environment conducive for investment.

This interview is culled from an article published by the Vanguard Nigeria (www.vanguardngr.com )