The Minister of Communications Minister, Chief Adebayo Shittu; the Chairman of NCC Board, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; Nigeria’s Chief Telecoms Regulator and Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, will lead other industry stakeholders; operators; ministries, departments & agencies (MDAs) to be part of this year’s ITU Telecom World.
Nigeria is expected to ride on the crest of the successes it recorded in the South Korea-hosted International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017. Already, Nigeria’s planning committee for the 2018 edition of ITU Telecom World holding in Durban, South Africa, September 10-13, 2018 has been inaugurated for the event with the theme “Innovation for smarter Digital Development”.
According to a statement signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, this year’s participation will focus on attracting new investors to the much sought broadband segment of the sector, hoping that the investors will deepen Nigeria’s quest for pervasive broadband whose penetration, which currently stands at 22%.
The 2017 edition of the ITU telecom World had NCC winning the Most Valuable Partner for its commitment and participation at ITU Telecom World events over the years, while Nigeria got a Certification of Appreciation for the ITU Telecom World 2017 National and Thematic Pavilion as well as loyal participation and supporters of the yearly ITU Telecom World events over the years.
Nigeria also won government award for being the government with the most innovative Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) included as part of the nation’s pavilion. No fewer than five SMEs/Innovators made the final ITU Global list for SMEs/Innovators awards. Three of them made the honours list.
ITU Telecom World 2018 is an election year of the annual event. Nigeria will be contesting for two (2) positions: the ITU Administrative Council and the Director, in charge of the Bureau for Telecommunications Development (BDT) which Mr. Williams Ijeh is contesting for. In April, Prof. Danbatta presented Nigeria’s position at a dinner for ITU Secretary General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, Officials of the Global Regulatory Bodies, Ministers, Regulators and Global dignitaries in Geneva Switzerland.
Prof. Danbatta told the high profile audience that Nigeria is one of the highest financial contributors to ITU in the African region and is a major player in ITU Telecom World activities for many years and therefore solicits for support towards its aspirations.