By Na’ankwat Dariem
The Nigerian Government has given six months deadline to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to come up with innovative solutions in Information Communications Technology (ICT).
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, gave the deadline at the maiden Telecommunications Based Research and Prototype Exposition in Abuja, Nigeria.
The theme of the program is: “The Drive Towards Commercialisation of Telecoms Research for Sustainable Development in the Industry.”
He said “I do hope that the next event will not be about the prototype but adopting the solution and I will give NCC only six months from today for not only prototyping but solution and make it a National Policy that this is what we have produced”
Pantami urged stakeholders in the Telecoms sector to continuously refine the roles of players in the country’s National system of Innovation by creating new models and incentives.
The Minister, however, assured that that this would guarantee the objectives of the National Policy for the promotion of indigenous content in the Nigeria Telecommunications sector.
“We have the brain, we have the capacity and we need to support each other to move this country forward,
we must continue to refine the roles of players in the nations National system of Innovation by creating new models and incentives.This will guarantee we achieve the objectives of the National Policy for the promotion of indigenous content in the Nigeria Telecommunications sector,” Pantami said.
He urged tertiary institutions to take advantage of the benefit from research grants to deeply consider commercialisation of research prototypes.
“I must reiterate that successful commercialisation of these prototypes will require requisite managerial and industrial competences as well as adequate funding. It is therefore necessary for the tertiary institutions that benefit from research grants to deeply consider the commercialization of the research outcomes (prototypes).
This means that collaborations and partnerships are necessary for commercialisation,” Pantami said.
The Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, explained that the exposition was aimed at providing the necessary opportunity for the academic awardees of the Commission’s Telecoms-based research projects.
Danbatta said it was for them to display already developed prototypes and pitch ongoing research to the industry stakeholders.
“This is to encourage the commercialisation of these locally developed telecommunications innovations as a way of fostering and deepening the indigenous technological capabilities of Nigerians. It is to support the overall growth of the industry and creating wealth for the spin-off companies.
This forum will further provide opportunities for collaborative partnerships amongst the various stakeholders, that are capable of stimulating the overall productivity and sustainability, for the continuous growth of the industry,” Professor Danbatta stressed.
He emphasised that the importance of having a commercialisation strategy, to transit from rudimentary research into the market is to address the local challenges and reduce over dependence on imported innovations and technologies.
The Regional Manager, Bank of Industry Ltd, Dr Kings Jack, pledged the Bank’s support and called on government and other stakeholders to increase investments in the telecommunications research and development as well as market for investment.
A total of Ten (10) prototypes, fully developed and ready for phase of market entry presented and exhibited.
