The Ogun State Government says it is taking the opportunity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to boost commerce in growing businesses for future socio-economic growth and development, towards increasing the number of potential customers.

The Special Adviser to Governor on ICT, Mr. Dayo Abiodun revealed this during a day stakeholders’ workshop in Abeokuta with the theme, ‘Validation of the ICT/E-commerce Value Chain Gap Analysis Report’.

Abiodun noted that as a result of pro-poor growth and promotion of employment in the country, it is imperative to improve the employment and income situation of Medium Small-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), through access to finance and business services, to support entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

"From a prior stakeholders’ workshop held at the beginning of this year, ICT and e-commerce were identified as a priority value chain in improving businesses, so, this led to the presentation of a gap analysis report on this aspect of the State's economy, with a view to understanding the challenges and opportunities for MSMEs and other stakeholders operating within it", Abiodun said.

 In his contribution, one of the facilitators, Mr. Bernard Siwoku urged the Bureau to collaborate with the private sector in ensuring regular sensitisation of the members of the public, as well as encouraging youths and students to acquire skills in ICT and e-commerce.

Earlier in her speech, the Director, Bureau of Information Technology, Ogun Tech Hub, Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte, said that the State has made tremendous efforts in the development of ICT in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the area of agriculture, health, education and manufacturing, so as to be at the frontline among her counterparts.

The Local Economic and Value Chain Advisor for GIZ, Mr. Sunday Idahosa, said the training was to increase income opportunities for small enterprises in selected sectors and improve on employment generation for teeming youths in the country.

Idahosa added that it is imperative for GIZ and the State government to develop MSMEs, saying it was targeted at improving access to financial services, legal frameworks, boosting entrepreneurial skills and strengthening service providers.

One of the participants and a former State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle posited that the government should work out modalities to attract more rural dwellers to key into the use of technology, due to their engagement in businesses that require internet facilities.