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NCC's Maida Urges Nokia to Boost ICT R&D Investment in Nigeria

Katsina City News
28 Nov, 2023
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Katsina Times

Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called on Nokia Networks to increase its investments in Research and Development (R&D) to propel the growth of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria.

During a visit from a delegation of Nokia Networks from Finland, led by Jarno Syrjala, the Deputy Minister and Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Maida expressed the Nigerian government's interest in leveraging Nokia's capabilities for technology transfer, particularly to empower Nigerian youths with technical skills.

With the Nigerian government targeting the training of three million youths in ICT skills to advance the country's digital economy, Maida emphasized the importance of getting youths employed and highlighted R&D as crucial for knowledge economy and innovation.

Maida urged Nokia and other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to explore R&D opportunities to enhance local content development in Nigeria. The Executive Vice Chairman congratulated Maida on his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria's chief telecom regulator.

Syrjala, in response, acknowledged Nokia's ongoing partnership with communications service providers, cable operators, and others in Nigeria, delivering critical network systems with high performance, reliability, and security. He also mentioned Nokia's existing R&D center in Nigeria and expressed the company's commitment to further investment in this area.