A new National Information Technology (IT) Policy document that will reposition Nigeria well in the emerging global IT- driven economy is in the offing.
Grace Ekpiwhre, minister of science and technology, said at the inauguration of the National IT Policy Review Committee in Abuja, that with the expertise of the committee members, a new National IT Policy that would further move Nigeria forward will emerge in the next couple of weeks.
She said the Policy for the information technology sub-sector was of utmost importance since it was recognized globally as a major catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.
Ekpiwhre commended Professor Cleopas Angaye, director-general of National Information Technology Development Agency, (Nitda) for championing a noble course in Nigerian information technology industry.
The minister said Nitda, since its establishment, had engineered human capacity building, institutional and infrastructural capacity building adding that through these initiatives, a lot of development has been witnessed in IT.
She added that this has also resulted in various e-government initiatives while also benefiting the private sector through conducive enabling environment.
In a statement signed by Abdulganiyu Aminu chief press secretary,quoted the minister as saying that the review of the IT Policy was long overdue as Nigeria was already few years behind, adding that the inauguration of the committee was of utmost urgency and importance to Nigeria.
Ekpiwhre said the review should be carried out in accordance with "our national needs and aspirations as well as in accordance with development among key players in the global IT industry".
She noted that the IT development in any country cannot be carried out by government alone, adding that all relevant stakeholders and interest groups in the Industry are well represented in the committee.
Ekpiwhre said the Ministry will continue to pay special attention to policy issues and implementation strategies for various sectors of the economy.