The Federal Government stated that it has achieved 100 percent in the production of Subscriber Identification Module cards as well as the manufacture of many components of cell phones used in the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said this when featured in a special News Agency of Nigeria interview programme in Abuja.
He disclosed that the government was partnering with private sectors on the local production of SIM cards, cell phones, tablets, and other ICT facilities.
Pantami said that the local production was a sequel to the national policy on local content signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector.
He said the policy had addressed pertinent areas, including manufacturing, services, people, research, and development, thus further advancing the goals of the nation.
“The main aim of the policy transcends the literary translation to more of a technical one when Mr President said Nigerians must produce what we eat, and eat what we produce.
“In the digital economy sector, we consider this statement not just the literary meaning of agriculture but extends to other sectors.
“We produce what we want to consume in Nigeria and manufacture what we need in ICT sector, telecommunication sector,” he said.
The minister, however, said the policy had ensured local manufacturing, developing skills, sponsoring, and mentoring of other Nigerians to acquire the same skills to serve the country.
“After launching the policy until date, SIM cards are being manufactured in Nigeria.
“Before this administration, SIM cards were being imported into the country but today Nigeria has the capacity to produce SIM cards for the African continent.
“In Nigeria, we manufacture smartphones, we have been licensed internationally and we partner others in the production of smartphones and tablets,” he said.
