The Federal Ministry of Communications Nigeria has set up a three-year ICT Roadmap to facilitate the development of the ICT industry and increase its contribution to the nation's GDP.

As reported by All Africa, the recently approved the roadmap is a fundamental component of the government's economic recovery and growth plan.

Among key components to be delivered this year, according to Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Shittu, are the hosting of the Smart Cities Summit (August 8-9, 2017); establishment of an ICT university and the establishment of a National ICT Park and Exhibition Centre at the Abuja Technology Village.

Others include the establishment of a secretariat for the implementation of the e-government master plan and the establishment of the Electronic Document management system.

According to Shittu, the government also concluded plans to initiate the establishment of a specialised ICT Development Bank to cater for the needs of the industry.

"Nigeria has witnessed phenomenal growth in its ICT sector over the past two decades, but there are still enormous potentials yet untapped," says Nike Akande, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, speaking at the launch event last week.

Also speaking at the event, Shittu said, "The greatest challenge to socio-economic development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is the huge ICT infrastructure deficit."

According to AllAfrica, a follow-up statement from the ministry noted that most economies across the globe are becoming knowledge-based with information and communication technology playing a pivotal role as central drivers of the globalisation process.

The ministry of communications say it has a cardinal objective for ICT development in Nigeria to provide a ubiquitous, robust and cost-effective ICT infrastructure to support the creation of a digital economy.

The Road map focuses on four pillars namely; Governance, Policy, Legal & Regulatory Framework, Industry & Infrastructure and Capacity Building. It also identifies strategies to address some cross cutting issues.