Straight Talk with Chukwudi Obi

With the telecoms sector worth $32 billion and among the top ten fastest emerging markets in Middle East and Africa (MEA), CHUKWUDI OBI asks who needs a local content policy when there is much at stake. Local content policies are designed to encourage local companies, give them undue advantage over foreign companies and drive more local investment in that particular sector. To a large extent the local content policy as implemented in the oil and gas sector many experts say, has been successful to the extent of stimulating the industry, encouraging active local participation and encourage competition. But Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda has been hinged on increasing foreign direct investment and since inception of this administration, President Goodluck Jonathan and his lieutenants have not hidden their ambition to increase investments in the country. This, they have been pursuing vigorously, with some measure of success. It has paid off with Agriculture attr...

Countdown to the national and global migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, Nigeria is still at its teething stage with many mechanisms that will ensure a seamless switch over yet to be put in place, writes CHUKWUDI OBI. With roughly two months to national deadline and eight months to global switch off, it is evident that work is being done especially on the part of government and regulatory agencies, but how much effort, commitment and political will that these officials have put in to ensure that Nigeria’s switch over becomes a reality leaves much to be desired. Jos is the only state that has switched over to digital broadcasting and with the national deadline approaching, indications are rife that though Nigeria is on the right course, the snail speed at which results are achieved leaves a sour taste in the much. “We have switched off all analogue stations in Plateau State and have commenced digital with TV stations like NTA, AIT and others whom NBC ha...