The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has assured that the drive to sustain Nigeria’s push for a digital transformation remained a priority for the Commission.
The NCC Boss, who was speaking recently at the NCC day of the just-concluded 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, organised by the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), noted that digital transformation accelerates the deployment of digital infrastructure, in order to enhance the economic transformation of Nigeria.
The former University lecturer, who was represented by a Senior Manager at the Commission, Attah Ogbadu, also disclosed that NCC has been at the heart of providing the digital impetus for transforming the businesses and sustaining socio-economic activities in Nigeria.
According to him, while the COVID-19 pandemic came with its attendant challenges, the NCC has continued to work assiduously with various stakeholders to see how more businesses can embrace digital platforms for delivering their services to the consumers.
He explained that aside from accelerating digital infrastructure, NCC is also paying attention to ensuring a level-playing ground for operators to promote investment and the delivery of innovative services to individual consumers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and big business owners by ensuring enhanced consumer quality of experience.
“So, as a regulator, we also ensure we constantly inform you, the consumers, on how to be protected to prevent cases of online fraud and otherwise ensure you do not fall victims to cybercrimes while using the internet, legitimately”, Danbatta stated to underscore NCC’s commitment to consumer protection.
Also speaking at the NCC Day forum, The President of KADCCIMA, Suleiman Aliyu, who was represented by an official of the Chamber, Farouk Sulaiman, commended NCC for its regular and impactful attendance and participation at the trade fair. He also placed on record NCC’s commitment to improving network coverage and consumer-centric initiatives, which are increasingly impacting job creation, the emergence of new services and industries, workforce transformation, and business innovation.
On the theme of the event, Aliyu said the theme was chosen to complement the efforts of the government in promoting economic growth. Aliyu asserted that the critical impact of the communications sector on the nation’s economic output is evident in its contribution to the Fross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to Aliyu, “the competitiveness of Nigeria would depend on our ability to leverage new technologies in light of the rapid growth of the number of active mobile subscriptions, internet subscribers, and broadband penetration, indices of telecom sector’s mark as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.”
