By Prince  Osuagwu & Laju Arenyeka

Although Information and Communication Technology, ICT, cannot be given much credit for securing Nigeria’s independence, it has most certainly played an indispensable role in sustaining the country’s political, economic and social independence.

*Communications Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson

From the time the Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM debuted in Nigeria in 2001, ICT has opened up unprecedented doors of opportunity for the average Nigerian to become an active participant in the global village.

Businessmen can now expand their international frontiers via the internet, making for more buoyant economy.

Recall that the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, in 2013, declared that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, would enjoy up to 15 percent increase from ICT contributions in 2015. A relatively new industry, ICT’s contribution to GDP is now over eight percent.

Beyond its numerous economic benefits, ICT, has been instrumental to the development of nearly every sector. Even in social activism, ICT has revolutionised participation. From ‘Occupy Nigeria’ to the ‘Bring back our Girls’ campaign and beyond, the kind of energy needed to ensure a more accountable government has been given a spring.

More and more, the average Nigerian is more informed, hence, more empowered to participate in shaping the nation’s agenda. The singular truth that ICT has been advantageous to Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. What is however becoming a source of concern is the nation’s own approach to the ICT industry.

As you are reading this Nigeria is neck-deep in independence celebrations. Today marks the 54th year since the country gained freedom from British colonial masters.

As usual, several billions must have been mapped out to make today grand. After all, we are the giant of Africa!

Elsewhere people celebrate technological prowess. That is the way of the new world. America built drones to protect its territorial integrity and possibly help maintain world peace. Sounds of celebrations of that feat are heard all over the world, particularly in areas where it has pulled down strongholds. Drones are not your every day warfare machines. They are highly technology based.

The hundreds of millions of dollars expended on it may not just only be justified by the services it’s rendering at the moment, but could provide economic stability that generations of Americans to come may be proud of.

In its 2014 budget, the government of the United Kingdom revealed plans to be the best place in the world to invest in new innovative technologies. The budget provided about £60 million, (approximately N 15.3 billion) for new low- carbon innovation which will support carbon capture and storage, CCS, technologies.

That move holds significant potential to reduce the cost of low-carbon generation in the UK. Besides, the UK