By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Vice Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta has disclosed that Nigeria makes up 83 percent of the continent telecom subscribers, and 29% of the continent’s internet consumption.
Danbatta made this known yesterday in Abuja at digital forum organized by the Commission on “Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunication Industry.”
He said that Nigeria also rates eleventh globally in internet penetration and seventh in mobile phone usage, adding that despite this intimidating feat the country’s Network index is still challenging.
The VEC of NCC said, ” Despite these remarkable metrics, the fact that our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 is 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging.”
He explained that the NRI is a guiding metric that measures the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It explores the performances of 131 economies in four key categories: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact.
According to the NCC VEC, the expansion of networks in Nigeria have impact in the lives of city, adding that Nigerians higher connectivity, reliability and accessibility standards, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the nation.
The surge in data utilisation, the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the advent of artificial intelligence, and the emergence of cutting-edge technologies highlight the urgent need for ongoing network surveillance and expansion, Danbatta stressed.
“To navigate this era of transformation, we must embrace innovation, make strategic investments, and cultivate a growth-friendly ecosystem.”
This platform is our gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions that can positively transform our industry, he said.
Head of new Media and Information Security, NCC, Engineer. Chidi Diugwu explained that the aim of the forum, The Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry is to establish a National Network Readiness Index (NRI) by exploring the driving factors of emerging technologies, further examining the sustainability and barriers of the NRI’s four pillars – Technology, People, Governance, and Impact.
According to Diugwu, the skyrocketing mobile penetration rates, and expansion of internet connectivity has impacted on the development of ICT in the nation.
He further noted that the
Commission’s commitment to enhance network infrastructure, with the private sector’s contributions has greatly transformed the digital landscape of the society.
New Media and Information Security Department as one of its critical mandates . This goal of enhancing the productivity ecosystem, is expected to result in a significant boost to the nation’s innovative capabilities in the coming years.
He called for the need to apply the NRI policies to enable the Nigerian digital space harness the potentials of emerging technologies, invest in human capital that will create a viable and inclusive digital further for the county.
The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engineer Ubale Maska, noted that the aim of the forum, is to arrive at pivotal standard roadmaps for best practices, which can be used to measure the impact of Information and Communications Technology, ICT, in the country and adoption of new technologies.
