Lagos — Determined to show its commitment and significantly enhance its physical presence on the continent, Nokia has officially opened its office in Nigeria to serve both the country and the West African sub-region.

With this development, Nigeria now joins a growing list of African offices in Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Kenya, Tunisia and South Africa.

This initiative according to Vithesh Reddy, Area Manager, Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia, Nokia Customer and Market Operations, is to expand its footprint in Africa and to demonstrate that Nokia is capable of delivering in the Nigeria market.

Timo Toikkanen, Nokia's senior vice president, Customer and Market Operations in Middle east and Africa said the potential for growth in Nigeria's telecoms industry is enormous.

This, he said, is an opportunity to provide customised, peerless service to match the growing needs of the market and a challenge to do this effectively amidst the flux and intense dynamics of the industry.

He noted that Nokia is the market leader in Nigeria in terms of sales, stressing that Nigeria is known to be aggressive in sales and as such, he believes that establishing the office in Nigeria will enable Nokia address the opportunies and challenges more effectively.

Nokia is the first manufacturer to introduce local Nigeria languages like Hausa, Yoruba, and Ibo as an option on their mobile phones.

"In so doing we are enhancing the convenience of millions more customers and connecting millions more people. It was a wonderful accolade for both Nigeria and Nokia when we sold our billionth phone right here in Lagos in september 2005" he added.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Ernest Ndukwe who said he has no doubt that Nigeria will continue to be an important market for all serious players in telecommunication, urged Nokia to provide the latest model of product and facilties in the country.

"Telecommunication plays a major role in the GDP growth and Nokia is a contributor in Nigeria as such Nigerians will work with the company to ensure that the set goal is achieved" he said.

Commending the Nokia General Manager in Nigeria, he said NCC is happy with the development. "We will encourage that your stay is worth the while," he added.

The Minister of Communication, Cornelius Adebayo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Umaru Aji in the ministry, explained that telecommunication has a multiplier effect which has contributed to thousands of people securing jobs in the industry. He stated that Nokia's presence in Nigeria is a commendable initiative because the knowledge transfered will expose Nigeria to the world best practice.

He urged the company to ensure good product and service, warantees and affordable prices.

Toikkanen stated that the local contents and elements were been put in place through preference and needs as well as the local market were taken into cognisance before setting up in Nigeria.

On the cost incurred in establishing its presence, Toikkanen said being the clear market leader the overall investment is well justified.

On corporate responsibilties to support media in Information technology Emmanuel Revmatas, Country Director, Nokia Networks explained that a lot more work on local organised media content is being put in place.

On making local products cheap in developing world, Revmatas emphasised that quality should not be sacrificed for low cost but said hopefully that handsets will be available by the end of this week.

A fully operational service centre is going to be operational to get sub standard phones out of the market, he added.

Toikkanen said various programmes and schemes for collecting hazards are been put in place to curb electronic waste of handsets.

"Telecommunication is an incredibly important development tool, and Nokia wants to continue to play a leading in sperheading the economic growth and development that telecommunications typically unleashes especially in new growth markets" Revmatas added.

Establishing a physical presence in Nigeria will enable us to consolidate on such social interventions, whilst further entrenching the Nokia brand in the region" he said.

Nokia has a long-standing presence and enjoys phenomenal brand awareness in Nigeria.

In January, it was declared "Best Foreign Brand of the Year 2005" by THISDAY Newspapers. The company has also been involved in youth leadership and motivated programmes, working with NGO, LEAP Africa.

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobile imdustry.