NCC trains journalists on telecom, ICT trends amid industry shifts

In a bid to strengthen the knowledge base of media practitioners covering the telecommunications and ICT sectors, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) commenced a two-day intensive training program in Lagos on November 14.

The workshop, designed to equip journalists with updated insights on emerging trends, regulatory frameworks, and growth prospects in the telecom industry, aligns with the Commission’s strategic initiative to enhance media engagement and effective reporting.

Reuben Mouka, the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, opened the training by emphasizing the vision of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida.

Mouka highlighted Dr. Maida’s commitment to fostering a well-informed media landscape, noting, “The EVC believes that for stakeholders and media partners to perform optimally, they must learn, relearn, and be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge relevant to their roles.”

One of the key presentations, “Overview of the Nigerian Telecoms Industry and the Roles of the NCC,” was delivered by Nwanko Okorie, a senior management staff member of the Commission.

Okorie shed light on the NCC’s dual role of promoting fair competition and safeguarding smaller operators from being overshadowed by dominant market players. She underscored the importance of the Commission’s intervention in creating a balanced market, stating, “Our regulatory framework ensures that no single entity monopolizes the sector, thus fostering healthy competition.”

Okorie also provided updated statistics, noting that as of September 2024, Nigeria had 153 million GSM subscribers, a decline from a previous figure of 198 million. This reduction was attributed to the nationwide SIM-NIN linkage initiative, which deactivated unused or unregistered SIMs.

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“The cleanup revealed a significant number of inactive lines. This has impacted subscription figures, reducing them to 153 million,” she said. Okorie added that broadband penetration for 3G and 4G services stood at approximately 41.66%, reinforcing the sector’s role as a pillar in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Highlighting the industry’s economic influence, Okorie stated, “The telecoms sector now contributes about 16% to Nigeria’s GDP, leading many to view telecommunications as the next oil.” This sentiment reflects the sector’s growing strategic importance, driven by expanding digital infrastructure and connectivity needs.

Throughout the training, other speakers and experts presented on a variety of topics. Sessions included discussions on data journalism and visualization tools, aimed at equipping reporters with the skills to interpret and present complex data effectively. Experts also spoke about consumer data usage trends, the resilience of network systems, and the broader implications of Nigeria’s digital economy.

These sessions provided participants with tools to navigate and report on the rapid changes affecting the industry. They were led by senior officials from different NCC departments and industry specialists who offered insights into emerging technologies and consumer protection initiatives.

The workshop was part of the NCC’s broader strategy to enhance public understanding and support for its regulatory activities. By empowering media practitioners, the Commission seeks to ensure accurate, nuanced reporting that reflects the sector’s contributions and challenges.

The training in Lagos is expected to be the first of a series of educational programs to keep media partners updated as the landscape evolves.

As the telecom industry continues to play a critical role in national development, the NCC’s training initiative serves as a proactive step towards fostering informed journalism that supports the sector’s growth and consumer awareness.