The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has reiterated its commitment to continually drive initiatives that accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure to enhance the socio-economic transformation of Nigeria.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, EVC/CEO of the commission, Professor Umar Danbatta relived this corporate responsibility of the commission recently during the NCC Day at the just concluded 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, organized by the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KADCCIMA.

The theme of the Day “Strategizing Nigerian Economy for Global Competitiveness,” in the context of regulatory activities of the commission had been at the heart of its efforts at providing digital impetus for transforming businesses and for the sustenance of socio-economic development activities in Nigeria.<br/><br/>
The EVC was represented by a Senior Manager at the commission, Attah Ogbadu who observed that due to the COVID-19-induced economic downturn and continued volatility, many countries were exploring various policies to stimulate growth and create new jobs. According to him “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”

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 could embrace digital platforms for the delivery of services to consumers.
He explained that aside accelerating digital infrastructure, NCC was also paying attention to ensuring a level-playing grounds for operators to promote investment including delivery of innovative services to individual consumers, small and medium enterprises, SMEs, and big business owners through 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 to otherwise ensure that you do not fall victims to cybercrimes while using the internet, legitimately,” Said the EVC

In his own remarks, the President of KADCCIMA, Suleiman Aliyu, who was also represented by an official of the chamber, Farouk Sulaiman commended NCC for its regular and impactful attendance and participation at the trade fair. He placed on record the NCC’s commitment to improving network coverage and consumer-centric initiatives which are currently impacting on 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 government in promoting economic growth. Aliyu stressed 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. “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, including all other indices of telecom sector’s remarkable contributions to economic growth and development, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.”

Meanwhile majority of telecom consumers, who attended the trade fair, also visited the NCC Day event and a tour of NCC corner of the Exhibitions. There officials of NCC’s Consumer Affairs Bureau educated consumers 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.