Business Post Contributor
By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
Registered companies in Nigeria operating under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have paid over N600 million as tax charge to the federal government in the last two years, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami, has disclosed.
According to him, the ICT companies, via IT projects clearing programs, has also saved about N5.5 billion for the government within the last 24 months, showing the key role played by the sector, especially in 2020.
Speaking on Sunday, October 24, at a virtual news conference organised to celebrate Digital Nigeria Day 2021, the Minister said, “The ICT sector had the highest growth rate in 2020 and in the first quarter of 2021. That growth was 14.07 per cent.
“This growth rate was the only double-digit growth rate that exceeded the aggregate growth rate of all the seven fastest-growing sectors.
“The ministry and its parastatals have generated over N1 trillion for the federal government in less than two years. This translates to an average of N44 billion monthly or over N1.4 billion.
“N1.05 trillion revenues were generated by the ministry and its parastatals; furthermore, the ministry has saved for the FG through the IT projects clearing programs the sum of N5,478,007,325.23.”
The Minister noted that these significant strides came from the implementation of some important national policies which have developed a friendly environment for the communications and digital economy sector to thrive in.
He listed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, the Nigeria National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, National Policy on Virtual Engagements in Federal Public Institutions, and also SIM card registration as part of these significant policies.
In addition, Mr Patami said that the ministry has organized a series of capacity-building programs where young citizens have been able to develop their IT skills to explore the never-ending opportunities in the technology space.
According to him, this includes the ICT training and empowerment for over 200 women, 102 training of persons with disabilities, Nigerian Data Protection Regulation where 296 persons participated, as well as the cyber security education for 21 Nigerian Army Personnel.
