By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector through the full implementation of the Local Vendor Policy, highlighting its potential to create jobs, generate wealth, and enhance national security.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, speaking through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, made the remarks at a one-day workshop in Abuja titled “From Policy to Practice: Building Indigenous ICT Capacity Through the Local Vendor Policy.”

The workshop convened government officials, industry stakeholders, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and local ICT vendors to discuss strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s technological capabilities through effective policy implementation.

Dr. Udeh stressed the urgency of developing local ICT capacity, noting that other nations with fewer resources are already advancing in technology. “All hands must be on deck because we have wasted quite a lot of time. Countries with less capacity are already blazing the trail,” he said.

He assured stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to supporting full implementation of the policy. “We are grateful for the foresight of our president, and we want to assure you that we will not fail. NOTAP will not fail,” he added.

The minister highlighted that successful policy implementation would tackle unemployment by creating opportunities within the ICT ecosystem, foster wealth creation, and engage young people in productive ventures to enhance security. He also noted that improved digital connectivity could reduce rural–urban migration by enabling people to work from their local communities.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, explained that the workshop aimed to review the Local Vendor Policy’s progress and accelerate its implementation. She emphasized that involving key ICT stakeholders, including local vendors, OEMs, and industry influencers, would ensure practical outcomes and strengthen the policy’s impact on Nigeria’s technology sector.

Dr. Amadiobi added that insights from the ICT sector could serve as a model for improving other areas of the Nigerian economy.

Also speaking, Senior Programme Officer at Results for Development (R4D), Umar Kabo Idris, said the workshop forms part of the Sankore programme’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. The Sankore programme, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aims to strengthen science, technology, and innovation systems in Nigeria and Ghana.

Idris explained that the Local Vendor Policy, in place for about a decade, is due for a comprehensive review to identify areas for improvement and better support Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. “This is a great opportunity to bring stakeholders together to assess the policy’s performance over the past ten years and chart a stronger path forward,” he said.

Participants expressed optimism that enhanced collaboration between government, industry, and international partners would accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s indigenous ICT sector and position the country as a major technology hub in Africa.