Nigerian Communications Commission Relevant In Taking Nigeria Away From The Broadband Slowway

By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief

Recent developments in the ICT space or, what in some jurisdictions, is called the TMT space, are confirming the pivotal role that telecommunications sector umpire, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), has to play in removing Nigeria from the telecommunications nay broadband slowway. Among these were the recent naming of the NCC as the lead agency to prosecute the digital economy agenda of the country and involvement of the agency in virtual fora aimed at advancing the digital economy objectives of the country.

Come Thursday, August 6, advocacy body, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria(ATCON) will consolidate on an earlier virtual forum on June 4, to drum industry support towards achieving 70 per cent broadband penetration in the country. Currently, Nigeria does 40.14 per cent in terms of broadband penetration.

Expectedly, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(EVC/CEO) of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta is on the list of top industry chieftains from the regulatory constituency, who are to constitute panelists to speak around the theme of the webinar, from the perspectives of their agencies with regard to their value propositions to their customers.

As explained by the President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, “This Sectoral Virtual Forum “would address the need of telecom and ICT Consumers in the COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Pandemic cum Digital Economy era with the principal goal of meeting the new broadband target of 70 per cent. This time around ATCON is providing a veritable platform for Governments, Consumers (corporate and personal) and Telecommunications and ICT Companies to rob minds on how consumers can be better off in terms of effective delivery of telecoms and ICT services and products in Nigeria. The centrality of consumer to the projected growth of the Nigerian telecoms and ICT Sector cannot be overlooked in the area of the needed investment to accelerate the progress of our sector. With the emergence of digital economy in Nigeria coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, many economic transactions would be done digitally going forward.”

According to him, the strategic objective of this very important sectoral forum was to converge regulator’s Interests -to ensure a competitive telecom market and fast track development of telecom industry; Operator’s Interests – an enabling environment for businesses and protection of investment in the sector; and Consumer’s Interests – to be satisfied in terms of quality of services, affordability and access; for Digital Economy Development.

“Let me reiterate it that the interdependence among the government, telecom and ICT Companies and Nigerians are clearly obvious but each of them have limitations and potentials hence the forum would make an attempt to address their limitations and turn them to advantage for the development of Nigerian Telecom and ICT Sector in the era of COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Pandemic.”

At the webinar, Danbatta would most likely review and establish the status of consumer-centric programmes and activities as well as preview the value proposition of his agency towards the prosecution of the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy And Strategy agenda.

The vision of Nigeria’s digital economy strategy is: “To digitally transform the economy of Nigeria into a leading global economy providing quality life and digital opportunities for all her citizens.”

While the mission is: “We build a nation where every citizen, business and institution can utilize

readily accessible digital technologies for improving themselves and developing the national

economy.”

These aspirations will be driven by eight pillars of Government Digital Economy Strategy:

*Developmental Regulation: Effectively regulate the ICT & digital sector in a way that enables development

*Digital Literacy & Skills: Providing policy backing for massive training of Nigerians in

digital literacy & skills

*Solid Infrastructure: Development of fixed & mobile infrastructure to deepen broadband

penetration

*Service Infrastructure: Support for Government digital services and provision of robust

digital platforms to drive the digital economy

*Soft Infrastructure: Strengthening public confidence in the use of digital technologies

*Digital Economy Development & Promotion: Development of a vibrant digital ecosystem

that supports Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDE) and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises

(MSME)

*Digital Society and Emerging Technologies: Tying development of the digital economy to

indices of wellbeing of ordinary citizens

*Indigenous Content Promotion & Adoption: Provision of a policy framework that gives

preference to digitally skilled Nigerians in government–funded projects.

According to a recent Nigeria Digital Economy Diagnostic Report by the World Bank released 2019, accelerating access to digital technologies spurs innovation, efficiency, and productivity, and as a result brings about choice and opportunities for greater growth and inclusion.

The report shows that many Nigerian citizens and businesses remain excluded from the digital

ecosystem as a result of limited access to broadband and non-availability of adequate devices

(mobile devices and computers) to fully utilize the Internet.

In order to deliver on Governments’ 2030 aspirations of greater access to the digital economy

and meet the bold objective of creating 100 million jobs in Nigeria, the country needs to increase investment in infrastructure, create an enabling regulatory environment for the digital economy to grow. In addition, the Government should pursue radical reforms that bring about improved skills and a more competitive digital job market, support public-private partnerships to stimulate and sustain demand for the use of digital platforms, and improve the current business climate to boost more investment opportunities.

“Given the proven correlation between advancement in digital economy and economic growth, NCC as the official regulatory agency of the communication industry, has a role to play in facilitating the development of the digital economy in Nigeria, hence the new SMP must consider digital economy as a key planning issue,” the Commission stated in its Strategic Management Plan(2020-2024), which it has pledged to implement meticulously.