Unleaching the Nigerian ICT potential
- Olufemi Adeagbo

I watched a periscope edition that was focused on examinations malpractice and could not help marvelling at the various opinions canvassed, and the proposed solutions. Under the 2006 Education Sector Reforms, a memorandum was pushed through the Federal Executive Council to implement a converged examination technology platform – funded by the private sector that was designed to significantly reduce the incidence of
examinations malpractice in Nigeria.
That project for varying reasons is yet to commence. I looked at the children featured in the documentaries and wondered whether they were perpetrators or victims of a system that continuously send them signals that short cuts and razzmatazz, rather than hard work are the routes to success and recognition in Nigeria. This mindset, in my humble opinion and its sustenancelies at the heartof the examination malpractice dilemma. Whilst acknowledging the dearth of quality teachers and infrastructure, It is nonetheless amazing that the efforts invested in cheating would probably deliver 'A' grade results were the energies properly channeled. However
since the elders perform magical acts of election rigging and thievery, there is scant moral authority upon which to base preachings of rectitude to children. The children are simply practicing corruption at their own level, often inspired and aided by adults – but with potentially disastrous consequences.
As the world marches to an increasingly borderless global economy, we need to understand that unless we provide our youths with the tools for global competitiveness, we would effectively have consigned them to a future of short cuts, crime and ineptitude. It is against this backdrop that I want to highlight our telecommunications / ICT sphere as an area where in my estimation we are failing to display vision, leadership
and a strategic mindset, opting instead for chest beating and self - adulation. According to Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Telecommunications alone contributed over N61B Naira to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria in the 2nd quarter of 2009.
According to Wikipedia “ GDP is a basic measure of a country's economic performance and is the market value of all final goods and services made within the borders of a nation in a year. It is a fundamental measurement of production and is very often positively correlated with the standard of living.The bureau also shows telecommunications growth in the second quarter of 2009 at 33.6 %, outpacing and outstripping other sectors, but contributing only 1.04% of GDP, up from 0.99% for the same quarter in 2008. To offer some perspective, the financial institutions contributed 1.82%; building and construction 1.47%; and manufacturing, 1.9% for the same
period.
Therefore, whilst acknowledging the significance of the $11 Billion dollars reportedly invested in the
telecommunications sector over the past 8 years or so, it must be balanced against the quantum of that
investment that represents payments made to foreign firms for goods and services, in some cases with Nigerian generated funding. Of course, these goods and services ultimately propel the networks which in turn creates jobs and stimulates economic activity across all sectors. However, one of the critical success barometers will be how much of these huge sums we can actually “lock down' within Nigeria to create jobs, enhance specializations, reduce pressure on our currency and contribute to our GDP
(Gross Domestic Product).
That we have tremendous potential is not in contention. But we must de-emphasize on size - as we seem fond of - and focus on real economic contribution. Being the biggest does not necessarily translate to positive output, unless a well articulated plan of action and capable delivery platforms exist. Our land mass is the 32nd largest in the world. Our population is the eighth or ninth largest, yet our Gross domestic product does not make it into the 2008 top 40 list.