Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday stressed the need for Nigeria to utilise the available policy guidelines and regulatory frameworks to effectively position the country as a leading player in the global digital economy .
“…we can only harness the opportunities of the 4th Industrial Revolution – 4IR – as a nation if we put in place effective guiding frameworks, to address the various aspects of the digital ecosystem and ensure their effective interworking in the national interest,’’ he noted .
“The fourth industrial revolution – 4IR – brings with it the potential to connect billions of people to digital networks ad dramatically improve the efficiency of organisations”, he stressed further.
Danbatta who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Barr. Adeleke Adewolu during the Virtual 3rd Discourse Series of the Advocate Law Practice, also noted the urgent need for critical Stakeholders to act as drivers and innovators in the determined bid to diversify Nigeria’s economy and support the Digital Economy agenda.
“Putting this within the Nigerian context, the challenge before us today is clear. It is one we must approach with the strongest resolve, and with the full co-operation of all critical Stakeholders in order to ensure that “no one is left behind” in the evolving digital future”, he added.
Danbatta expressed confidence that NCC “can continue to count on the support of all stakeholders in this quest”, stressing that the drive to involve Nigeria productively during the Industrial Revolution requires the collective efforts and contributions of all stakeholders.
The EVC explained Nigeria is not lacking in key Policy and Regulatory frameworks and instruments which will enable us to play a leading role in powering the 4IR era.
“As an example, The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy Policy (2020-2030) boasts of eight (8) pillars designed to provide a catalyst to facilitate the diversification of the economy and accelerate the attainment of the key national objectives of improving security, reducing corruption and expanding the economy.
Danbatta emphasised that the Nigerian National Broadband Policy (2020-2024) clearly highlights the various implementation strategies that would aid the pervasive inclusion and rollout of broadband services across the country whilst also developing a robust and holistic digital economy.
“The NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP 2020-2024 or “ASPIRE 2024”) consolidated on the vision we earlier articulated in the Strategic Vision Plan and 8-Point Agenda”, ha explained further.
On NCC’s regulatory impacts, he said the telecoms regulator recorded a number of significant achievements including:
*The licensing of six (6) infrastructure companies (InfraCos) to speed up the deployment of broadband infrastructure throughout Nigeriaas well as the provision of training and supporting public institutions with ICT interventions like School Knowledge Centers, ADAPTI etc.
Others are the enhancement of physical infrastructure: in the last five (5) years with the Commission expanding broadband penetration from 6% to 42.06 as at February 2021; while access gap clusters have been reduced from 207 to 114. Fibre Optic coverage also increased from 47,000km to 54,725 km and Base Transceiver Stations for 3G and 4G deployments increased from 30,000 to 53,460, Danbatta noted.
‘’We also increased funding of Telecom Research to N336.4m and have endowed four (4) Professorial Chairs. We have also commenced requisite engagements on 5G deployments and some of our licensees have already carried out trials’’, he pointed out.
“We are firmly committed to ensure that Nigerians in Nigeria play a leading role in 4IR era; Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Blockchain, Autonomous Vehicle, Drones and other innovative technologies which are now driving growth and national competitiveness’’.
“The question of regulation of disruptive technologies without stultifying innovation is one that we, like all other regulators globally, are carefully studying. For now, we have maintained a sharp focus on critical cross-cutting aspects like consumer protection, enhancement of competition, data protection and enhancement of trust in digital platforms through the prevention of cybercrimes and other abuses,’’ he said