It’s national duty to support made-in-Nigeria goods, digital infrastructure – Taiwo Oyedele

The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, has said it is a national duty to support made-in-Nigeria goods and services, including digital infrastructure.

He disclosed this on Monday in his remarks during a visit to Galaxy Backbone in Abuja.

The Finance Minister stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is intentional about driving and prioritising made-in-Nigeria goods and services.

Oyedele noted that it is high time both public and private investors looked to made-in-Nigeria infrastructure for software, hardware and other digital services.

Global oil prices drop amid US-Iran hostility

Dangote Refinery expands free fuel delivery to four states, with lower petrol pump prices

Cooking gas price update in Nigeria as crude climbs

According to him, patronising made-in-Nigeria digital infrastructure and other services costs less and offers better quality.

“One of the priority areas for the government’s growth is the digital economy, and both of them are connected. Because this is one sector where we don’t have much excuse.

“Therefore, as a country, we must be intentional in making that investment. Digital infrastructure is critical.

“And as many of you would already be aware, Mr President wants us to drive this whole thing about buy Nigeria, make Nigeria, and everything about Nigeria. And we’re just having a meeting before coming for these visits. It’s a classic cloud.

“And one of the things we’re saying to them is, in this whole thing about buying Nigeria, we find that many of our organisations, enterprises, sometimes even in the public sector, but of course mostly in the private sector, don’t think so much about Nigeria when they’re thinking about software, hardware and IT infrastructure. We just default to foreign suppliers and foreign providers. But we have seen some Nigerian organisations that are taking the initiative of patronising made-in-Nigeria products, including technology.

“Guess what? They’re spending less, and the quality is better. But this is made for us by us. And when you think about data sovereignty, you think about the future of sovereign competition.

“This is where it starts. So, you need to continue to see the work you do every day as a national duty. National duty where we are willing to support what you do, we’re willing to work with you, and we’re willing to make sure that your work is more impactful than it has ever been,” he said.

On his part, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof Ibrahim Adeyanju, said that the government and private sector cannot upscale without connectivity and secure digital infrastructure.

He emphasised the need for sustained government and private-sector investment in digital infrastructure.

“Digital infrastructure requires sustained investment.

“Government cannot effectively digitise without connectivity and secure infrastructure. Businesses cannot scale without digital networks. Innovation, artificial intelligence and the digital economy cannot thrive without reliable infrastructure,” Adeyanju said.