Mrs. Omobola Johnson has reinstated federal government’s commitment to encourage local content development in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in order to increase ICT contributions to the country’s GDP.
She said that government intends to build local content in ICT through implementation of Nigeria Content Agenda adding that “If we are to create jobs and play well in the sector, we have to build sustainable local industry in the ICT sector”
Johnson who stated this during a visit to CNSSL Call Centre in Lagos, added that her ministry has created guideline that will support local companies in the ICT including demand for the products of local ICT companies, procurements through local companies as well as partnership with multinational ICT companies such as IBM and Microsoft that is aimed at growing software entrepreneurs in the country.
She commended CNSSL for pioneering Business Processing Outsourcing call centre in the country with a global outlook.
“I’m so excited about what l have seen today. You have the track record and capacity from what I have seen today to offer BPO services outside of the country. Nigeria is well positioned to offer this going by our demography, language among others. I will tell your success story everywhere, and our vision is to showcase more Nigerian companies to the world,” she noted.
Gbenga Adebayo, chief executive officer, CNSSL while receiving the minister, said, that CNSSL Call Centre Limited (CNSSCCL) is a subsidiary company to Communication Network Support Services Limited (CNSSL), which was formed in 2009 as the first indigenous Call Centre Outsourcing Company in Nigeria.
“We offer a range of call center services that meet end-to-end customer service needs. Our contact center services cover the entire spectrum of customer support and telemarketing needs of enterprises with expertise in: inbound call centre services, outbound call centre service, market research, products consumer research among others,” he said
He added that the company’s call centre operations handle over 60 million inbound and outbound calls per annum and employs 6,000 call centre agents.
He explained that the impact of operating successful contact centres on generation of employment for the youth cannot be underrated in any economy. The ability of technology to break down geographical barriers is also tremendous.
“CNSSLCCL in Nigeria is aiming to be the most popular choice worldwide for many service oriented companies such as telecommunication companies, manufacturers, banks among others. It is expected that Nigeria will be the hub for provision of these services. It will be able to compete favourably with foreign based ones especially on economic terms. The expected growth in demand for the service will be met with appropriate pricing to ensure that services are provided to the teeming population at appropriate prices,” Adebayo said.