Nigerian ITF to commence mass production of mobile phones

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in Nigeria, Sir Joseph Ari says plans are at an advanced stage to begin mass production of its smartphone, recently unveiled by the Nigerian President.

He said mass production would help create more jobs and ensure the mobile phones are available and affordable.

The DG, who spoke after the formal presentation of the ITF Mobile Android GSM smartphone to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the move will expand the GSM phone market and create more jobs in the industry while growing the sector’s value chain.

In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs Department of ITF, Mr Suleyol Chagu, the DG said the ITF mobile phone, which was comparable in quality to any other brand of Android Phone in the world, was assembled by the ITF Model Skills Training Centre (MSTC), Abuja.

“The ITF Mobile Phone was produced with 100 per cent locally sourced material. And for me, this breakthrough is proof that given the enabling environment and opportunities, Nigerians will unleash their creative potentials”, Ari said, adding that “in terms of quality and performance, our phone is comparable or even superior to most Android phones currently in our markets”. Ari stated.

“We are presently putting processes in place with the relevant regulatory agencies towards quality assurance, legal framework and intellectual rights amongst others. Our vision is to create a mass production hub that will churn out products that will be available to all Nigerians”, he added.

The ITF boss commended the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, and his counterpart, Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, for providing qualitative leadership that has unleashed innovativeness and creativity of agencies and parastatals under the ministry.

While also commending the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its policies that encourage innovation and creativity, he appealed for increased funding for the ITF to ensure the full actualisation of its mandate.