Nigeria’s Minister of Communications has confirmed that a summit to discuss ‘smart cities’ is on track. The conference is expected to take place in June and it is part of government’s plans to boost the ICT sector in the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Minister Adebayo Shittu said the “Smart Cities Nigeria 2017 Summit” has been scheduled for June 28 and 29.
While the exact agenda is not available, the summit is expected to explore the depths of urban development through the use of Internet-based technology to improve efficiency and security for citizens. It’s believed discussions around public access to WiFi and cashless payment systems will also be discussed.
The publication quoted Mr. Shittu as saying, “To transform Nigeria using ICT we need the buy-in of all States, that must get it right from the onset, that ICT is the way to go.”
It’s believed the department has already started to seek foreign investment for the project.
“I have had the privilege of speaking with a lot of foreign investors persuading them to come to Nigeria because Nigeria offers a lot of advantage in terms of the huge population.”
“On the West African sector of the African continent, Nigeria’s population is more than that of the other 14 countries. That means that there is a huge market and any investor who comes will never regret.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian media houses have reported that State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has already embarked on free WiFi hotspots in some public locations in the state of Lagos.
Nigeria Today reported that Mr. Ambode unveiled one completed WiFi project at Ndubuisi kanu Park in Alausa, Ikeja, at the beginning of May.
