Why is the informal sector, like the Computer Village in Lagos, not considered for development? Traders in the ICT markets have started asking questions on why they have not been carried along in the nation’s ICT ecosystem?
“Is it that we are not relevant for the federal government’s economic diversification plan? Why is it that no single individual has benefited in the federal government’s human capital investment and empowerment scheme in the sector?”
These and many more questions bothering on training & sponsorship scheme, tax holiday & tax waiver, improved market structure and others, including why there is still poor public-private-partnership in the sector were brought to the fore as Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu paid 1-day working visit to the ICT Market.
The Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) hosted the Minister on the visit on Friday using the occasion to seek more economic improved relationship from government and policy statement that will facilitate all-round growth across the market segments.
CAPDAN is the umbrella body comprising the Dealers, Vendors, Artisans, Technician and Small Medium Enterprises in Otigba as the market is called with street parlance.
According to CAPDAN’s President, Ojikutu Ahmed Adeniyi, there is need for improved working relationship between public and private players if Nigeria’s ICT Ecosystem would grow,
“And we recognize this as we want the informal sector like the Computer Village be given the rightful attention in the Ministry’s programs,” he said.
“We want you to help facilitate the enactment of local content in the ICT sector for market growth of made in Nigeria products.
“Our people really need training to improve the technical knowhow. It is expedient to have incubation center for the training,” he added.
In the submission of one of the artisans (Name withheld); “How can there be a computer village as big as Nigeria is without a free or government subsidized internet broadband connectivity through Nigeria Satellite?”
“We are also requesting for fund for ICT research, to develop Nigeria-based software,” he said.
The Computer Village is the largest gathering of hardworking, young and old Nigerians who were driven by passion for trade and technology development.
He said that Computer Village had successfully grown the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria for the past 20 years.
According to Adeniyi the hub has the large number of graduate and it contributes immensely to job creation, technical skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
“Computer Village has over N1.5 billion turn over everyday online and offline and 3,500 SMEs with brick and mortal.
“Our hub is referred to as the hardware capital of Africa, based on the qualities of hardware solutions we provide,” he said.
