The Nigerian government has said that the use of technology has increased tremendously over a very short time following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa stated this at the presentation of draft National Outsourcing Strategy to experts in Abuja.
Abdullahi noted that self-isolation has brought about extreme changes in the lives of Nigerians and forced the people to change their behaviours and adapt new habits.
The D-G noted that following these changes, it is most likely that it would never be business as usual as Nigerians now carry out most of their activities online.
He said that the document was to accelerate digital economy and transformation in the country and therefore, presented the document for experts’ review.
Abdullahi said that the process of joining the over $221.5 billion global business process outsourcing market has started.
The Director-General noted that there will be a new normal established but wondered if the people are ready to identify opportunities, grab them and be part of shaping that “new normal.”
He said that NITDA is refocusing its effort to the implementation of the National Digital Economy Strategy with the recent government initiative to make Nigeria a leading digital economy.
“Our Digital Economy Strategy has eight pillars, Digital Services is one of them.
“Business Process Outsourcing is of the emerging services we can provide digitally. In 2019, according to Grand View Research, the global business process outsourcing market size was valued at $221.5 billion USD and was expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0% from 2020 to 2027. Covid-19 is forcing organizations to cut bottom-line cost.
He said many organisations will leverage on the benefits of outsourcing for some business processes and focus on core competencies.