The two biggest and most robust stakeholders interest groups in the Nigerian telecom industry; the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have sealed a partnership deal with DigiVation Network, an awareness and digital solution firm to host an event to celebrate Nigeria’s telecom revolution at 20.
The essence of the event, which is scheduled to hold November 11, 2011, in Abuja at the NAF Conference Center is to celebrate the impact GSM and Information Communications Technology have made across all sectors of the Nigerian economy in the last 20 years since the liberalization of the sector in 2001.
Tagged ‘Two decades of GSM; it’s impacts and role on the Nigerian economy,’ the event, which already has the endorsement of the telecom regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and all the telecom operators will feature awards and seminars.
In a statement in Abuja signed by Dr. Bayero Agabi, Chief Executive Officer of DigiVation Network on behalf of the three groups, Nigeria as a country has enjoyed mobile telecommunication, which has changed every other sector of the economy in the last twenty years.
“The Year 2021 marks 2 decades since the NCC held the GSM auction which led to the licensing of Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Airtel) and MTN Nigeria in February that year. Significantly, such twenty years landmark of an industry that accounted for helping Nigeria’s economic recovery from recession in the past year and with a contribution of 12.45% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the 4th Quarter of the year 2020 cannot simply go unceremoniously,” the statement argued.
While noting that the industry has steadily evolved to enable innovations and help the country compete technologically on a global scale, the statement also disclosed that the event will bring telecommunications and Information Technology thought-leaders from across the world to celebrate with Nigeria and will follow up with an Award and Gala Night, which is designed to celebrate and recognise individuals, organizations, institutions and initiatives that have advanced the Nigerian/African telecoms/digital space in the past 20 years.
Part of the highlights of the day is the premiere of a special audio/visual documentary that will chronicle issues and development that have enabled conscious development of Nigeria and looking for better ways to putting Nigeria on the map of digital nations.
The Nigerian telecoms ecosystem has been leveraging mobile phone penetration to serve the populace and driving solutions that have increased financial inclusion in the country.
The theme of the event: Mobile Telecommunications at 20: Deepening Broadband Access and Accelerating Digital Gains is designed to focus on maximizing the potentials of the digital era to grow the Nigeria of our dream
Sub-themes will focus on Policies and sustainable structures; Internet next frontier for growth and service delivery; Role of the legislature in meeting the challenges of the digital age; Local Content and Nigeria’s homegrown innovation; Attitude refocus, policy, people and politics for development and Building strong institutions and enduring legacies.