General News
That Nitda’s Ranting on Imported ICT Products
The experience of Nigeria shows that the nation has never been lacking in handing down directives and indeed policies.
What is always absent is the political will to implement, coupled with reckless ranting of government officials who are busy doing nothing.
Lack of political will to push ICT issues at various tiers of government has reduced Nigeria’s competiveness and made it only a consumer of imported ICT products and services.
It shows the near absence of true ICT professionals in power and corridors of power.
That is why the recent directive by National Information Technology Development Agency (Nitda), a parastatal of the Ministry of Communication Technology to government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to use Made-in-Nigeria IT products is laughable.
Before Nitda’s directive, President Goodluck Jonathan had directed the ministry of Trade and Investment to compile the list of goods currently being imported into the country but which have local substitutes.
According to Goodluck, the list will enable his government grant incentives to the affected companies to enable them produce these goods and enjoy government patronage as well.
This makes sense and shows the desire of the present government to fire the kiln of production and rekindle local production.
It is however doubtful if much would be achieved with Nigeria’s notoriously unreliable public power supply, multiple taxes, insecurity and sundry issues.
Now back to the Nitda’s directive, it is an irony that the government agency’s offices and even the presidency are still being furnished with the latest imported IT products.
It is also confusing which products are banned when Nigeria cannot produce switches, routers, mainframes and others.
Also the government agency did not state how it is going to enforce the directive in an open market like Nigeria or say what efforts it has made to make local ICT products and services acceptable.
Remember that previous governments had in the past tried to ban imported goods but used the banned products themselves. Do what I tell you and not what I do.
For instance, government officials still cruise in imported cars while local assemble plants like Peugeot, Volkswagen and Innoson are dying of low patronage.
Children born today may never see Nigeria’s ofada rice or Abakaliki rice because their leaders are legitimizing the importation of foreign rice at the detriment of local farmers.
And while Nigerian waxes are dying by installment, government officials regale themselves in well cut foreign suits, jackets and wears.
Nigeria can only achieve her objective of increasing local production with strong political leadership, increased budgetary allocations to ICT and removal of the many roadblocks to have hobbled the industry.
She must learn from other countries which have made ICT a pivotal part of national development and it can only do this by putting square pegs in square holes.
In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.
Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
General News
DBI Unveils Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Report Highlights Strategic Trends, Risks
DigitalSENSE Business Intelligence (DBI), powered by ITREALMS Media, has launched the Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Intelligence Report (Executive Edition), delivering vital insights for navigating Nigeria’s fast-paced digital landscape.
This executive summary spotlights trends, risks, and opportunities in telecommunications, fintech, digital infrastructure, policy shifts, and investment flows. It underscores digital transformation’s pivotal role in boosting economic growth, financial inclusion, and nationwide innovation.
DBI Publisher, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, emphasized its value for leaders: “This Executive Edition offers a sharp, strategic view of Nigeria’s digital economy during a pivotal moment. As the sector surges ahead, reliable intelligence is key to seizing opportunities and tackling risks.”
Key highlights include:
Broadband infrastructure expansion.
Surge in digital payments adoption.
Evolving regulations.
Investor pivot to sustainable, profitable ventures.
The report urges action on digital financial inclusion, infrastructure funding, skills training, and public sector digitization.
Freely accessible, the Executive Edition complements the premium Full Edition with in-depth analysis for executives and institutions. Stakeholders can request full access or briefings.
Media & Access Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.itrealms.com.ng
The on-going construction works at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State is gathering momentum as the project is envisioned to address the country’s energy needs.
NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State
The project occupying a 40-hectare park designed as a multi-energy hub will help curb capital flight and save foreign exchange expenditure by enabling local production of key renewable energy components such as solar panels, mounting racks, wind systems and biomass technologies.
Speaking during an inspection visit on the project site on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Special Adviser to the Executive Vice Chairman on Renewable Energy, Engr. Suyud Abdullahi Muhammad, who also serves as the Gora Project Manager, disclosed that the initiative is designed to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported renewable energy equipment.
“There will be a wind assembly plant, small hydro power equipment production, and solar panel manufacturing; Renewable energy goes beyond just solar, and this park reflects that broader vision,” he said.
Abdullahi noted that the project aligns with NASENI’s goal of reducing energy poverty in Nigeria, where over 80 million citizens remain off-grid, while many connected to the national grid continue to experience inadequate power supply.
The Special Adviser also emphasised on the project’s industrialisation potential, highlighting its role in job creation and value chain development. The park is expected to generate 2,000 direct jobs, with an additional 50,000 indirect employment opportunities across supporting industries when completed.
“This initiative will localise the renewable energy value chain. Instead of relying on imports, Nigeria will begin to produce and eventually export these technologies, starting with the West African market and scaling up to the rest of the continent,” he added.
On sustainability and long-term viability, he revealed that the project is being executed in collaboration with private sector players, academia and other stakeholders, in line with NASENI’s “3Cs” principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation.
The ongoing construction is being handled by about 35 contracting firms, each handling specific components at varying levels of execution such as Multipurpose Halls for industrial productions, Research and Development (R&D) Centre, Knowledge Park, Energy Centre, Workshops, Researchers Lodge, Studio Apartments, Clinic, Restaurant, Wellness Centre, Solar Farm, Drivers Lounge, Gate House, Internal roads and drainage system and Fencing.
The Gora Renewable Energy Industrial Energy Park is considered a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, enhancing energy security and positioning Nigeria as a renewable energy hub in Africa.
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