We will sustain the drive for digital economy transformation – NCC

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta has restated the commitment of the commission to continually drive initiatives that accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure, in order to enhance economic transformation of Nigeria.
Speaking at the NCC Day of the recently-concluded 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, organised by the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), the EVC who was represented by a Senior Manager at the Commission, Attah Ogbadu, said the NCC had been at the heart of providing the digital impetus for transforming the businesses and sustaining socio-economic activities in Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Strategising Nigerian Economy for Global Competitiveness,” in the context of the regulatory activities of the Commission, Danbatta stated that due to the COVID-19-induced economic downturn and continued volatility, many countries were exploring policies to stimulate growth and create new jobs.
“Information Communications Technology (ICT) is one of the fastest-growing industries because it triggers the creation of millions of jobs and therefore an enabler of innovation and socio-economic development,” Danbatta stated.
The EVC also asserted that while COVID-19 pandemic came with its attendant challenges, the Commission had 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 accelerating digital infrastructure, NCC was also paying attention to ensuring a level-playing ground for operators to promote investment and ghe 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 said.
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 acknowledged NCC’s commitment to improving network coverage and consumer-centric initiatives, which were increasingly impacting job creation, the emergence of new services and industries, workforce transformation, and business innovation.
On the theme of the event, Aliyu said it 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 was evident in its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to him, “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.”
Meanwhile, majority of telecom consumers who attended the trade fair visited the NCC Day event and the NCC corner of the Exhibition Group of the KADCCIMA where officials of NCC’s Consumer Affairs Bureau enlightened them on the various consumer-centric initiatives instituted by the commission to inform, educate and protect consumers.
The telecom consumers also seized the opportunity of the platform provided by NCC at the Fair, to make complaints and to resolve their service-related challenges at the NCC stand which also housed representatives of telecoms operators who responded to the concerns of the consumers.