One of the pioneers of Information and Communications Technology, ICT journalism in Nigeria, Mr Aaron Ukodie, will in July mark thirty years of Information and Communication Technology, ICT reporting. However, Ukodie has decided to tell the story of his sojourn in three books which he said would be launched that day. The books are “The Privatisation of NITEL: An Archetypal Government Agency”, “Nigeria’s Path to ICT Development” and “The Lead Story”.

Aaron Ukodie

Ukodie started journalism as Communications reporter in the Guardian in July of 1985 and since then has put all his years of journalism in the sector, making modest contributions to one of the most vibrant sectors of the economy.

According to him The Privatisation of NITEL records the many failed efforts and intrigues to make the company play leading roles in the ICT sector and the almost 15 years bid by BPE to privatise it, which has culminated in its successful sale to NACOM in 2014. The book also shows how publicly -run companies in Nigeria are managed, and canvassed the case for government to play less role in business.

Path to ICT Development traces the story of Nigeria’s ICT development from 1960 to 1992, when the NCC was created, and in 2001 when NITDA and the IT Policy were established with their attendant milestone impacts. It records the evolution from the digital mobile license to the watershed marks in mobile phone deployment and data uptake to the current efforts in broadband development.

The book highlights how MTN, Airtel (then Econet), and Globacom, (then Communication Investment Limited, CIL) and later Etisalat braved the seemingly challenging Nigerian business environment to enter the market, a move that has impacted positively on the Nigerian economy. These companies have become the face of the much coveted Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit and competition.

The Lead Story captures the development of the ICT media in Nigeria, from a pioneer’s perspective, tracing also the evolution of the journalism profession, describing in vivid terms the reporters motivation and passion of the times.