Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa  Pantami on Monday described as heart-warming statistics released by National Bureau of Statistics that ICT sector has contributed about 17.8 percent to Gross Domestic Product of the country.

Minister in a statement issued by his technical aide, Mr Femi Adeluyi said the contribution is unprecedented.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had on Monday released ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Report’ for Q2 2020.

“Nigeria’s GDP decreased by –6.10% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2020, largely attributable to significantly lower levels of both domestic and international economic activity during the quarter, which resulted from nationwide shutdown efforts aimed at containing Covid-19 pandemic, ” the report said.

Non-oil sector contributed 91.07% to the nation’s GDP in Q2 2020 as opposed to  8.93% contributed to total real GDP by  oil sector, the report added.

Pantami said, “it is worthy of note that ICT sector contributed 17.83% to real GDP in Q2 2020, 20.54% higher than its contribution a year earlier and in the preceding quarter, in which it accounted for 14.07%.”

This contribution is unprecedented, he said.

The statement reads: “The Minister notes that the growing contribution of  ICT sector to the GDP is a direct result of the focused and committed effort of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The strategic policy directions of Federal Government include the inclusion of Digital Economy in the mandate of the Ministry, the unveiling and implementation of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy and the National Broadband Plan, amongst others.

“As of July 2020, the broadband penetration in the country was 42.02%, translating to a percentage increase of almost double digits in less than 1 year. This is another remarkable achievement.

“The unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to dynamic and results-oriented leadership which has been acknowledged and appreciated by a wide spectrum of the stakeholders in the sector.

“The GDP Report has shown how critical ICT sector is to the growth of our country’s digital economy and, by extension, the general economy.

“The Minister calls on all sectors to take advantage of Federal Government’s new focus on the digital economy to enable and improve their processes through the use of ICTs. This would enhance output of all sectors of the economy and boost Nigeria’s GDP. “

The Nation