The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that telecommunication sector remains the driving force of the digital economy of the Nigerian dreams.
The NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta stated this at the NCC Day at the 44th Kaduna International Trade Fair, Kaduna on Saturday.
Danbatta disclosed that the fifth-generation network which had been launched in Lagos, would improve the nation’s communication services.
He added that the country’s active mobile telephone subscribers’ base has risen to 222.571million, declaring that even the teledensity rose by 116.60 per cent as of December 2022.
Danbatta also said that internet subscribers stood at 154.8million, adding that with a broadband connection of 47.36 per cent, the nation’s social media space has continued to thrive.
While noting that the telecommunication sector remain a strategic driver of the digital economy of the federal government, Danbatta disclosed that the Commission had commenced the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) network in Nigeria.
According to him, one of the companies issued licences had kicked off commercial launch in Lagos, noting that the 5G network would gradually move to other parts of the country for the sake of improving communication services in Nigeria.
This was as he noted that the commission was working assiduously to ensure that more businesses embrace digital platform for the delivering of their services to their various consumers
Represented by Banji Ojo, Head, of Consumer Protection and Advocacy, he said, “The commission recognises the fact that telecommunications sector has been a strategic driver of the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government, as it continues to provide the needed digital stamina to support the economy, especially the activities of the SMEs across in Nigeria and beyond.
Information communications technology is not only one of the fastest growing industries directly creating millions of jobs but it is also an important enabler of innovation and development, as it provides the backbone infrastructure for transnational business.
“Hence, in line with the Digital Literacy and Skills Pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030, for a Digital Nigeria, the commission embarked on digital literacy training for entrepreneurs across the six geopolitical zones of the country. The aim was to equip small-scale business owners with the requisite skills and to generate ideas for development of product and service that can be exported.
