The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to engage stakeholders in the country’s telecom sector in a bid to sustain a robust collaborative regulatory environment that is capable of addressing current and future challenges in the sector.
The telecom regulator said it will do it via its maiden edition of the Nigerian Telecom Leadership Summit (NTLS 2019) which will hold at the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, May 23, 2019.
It has chosen the theme: “Repositioning the Nigerian Telecom Industry for Future Challenges and Prospects”, saying it is in line with the Commission’s commitment to improving the investment climate of the Nigerian Telecom industry.
The summit, according to NCC in a statement will presents a unique opportunity for the Commission to interact with key stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues affecting the industry with a view to proffering solutions to address challenges. It is also designed to critically analyse the current state of the industry and to make profound recommendations for sustaining a healthy Nigerian telecom industry.
Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo GCON SAN, has been scheduled as the Special Guest of Honour, while the Keynote will be delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, former Minister of Communications Technology, on the topic: “Best Fit Infrastructure Investment Choice for an Emerging Market.”
His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and the Minister of Communications, Honourable AbdurRaheem Adebayo Shittu are expected to address the gathering as guests. The Chairman NCC Board of Commissioners, Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye will also attend the event alongside the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive (EVC/CE) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who will present an overview of the status of the Industry as a prelude to the Keynote and Panel Discussions.
Eminent persons and other stakeholders participating in the Summit have been slated as panelists in a discourse focused on: “The Challenges Facing the Nigerian Telecoms Industry, Way Forward and the Role of the Regulator”. Further discussion will also take place on the topic: “Implications of Multiple Taxation on Telecom Investments in Nigeria” after a presentation on the subject by Dr. Doyin Salami of the Lagos Business School.
Among the panelists for the two segments are: Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Ms. Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Mr. Abubakar Mahmood (SAN), immediate past President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); and Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Senior Partner at KPMG. The President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, and his counterpart at the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo are also on the panels, while Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) will speak on: “The Role of the Mandatory Code of Corporate Governance in the Nigerian Telecom Industry.”