The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Garba Danbatta has revealed that the Federal Government’s policies in the communications and digital economy sector are already yielding positive results.
Speaking at the opening of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU’s) – (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) FCDO Roundtable, and Technical Workshop on Building Capabilities for Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Transformation in Nigeria, Prof. Danbatta listed some of the results to include reduction in the access gap, improved digital financial inclusion and a steadily increasing contribution to the GDP.
He stated that the sector has remained the most resilient in the country while stressing that the Commission recognizes the need to do more in strengthening the telecommunication sector and improving internet penetration.
“As of the end of 2021, the estimated population of people living in the underserved areas declined from 31.16 million in 2019 to 28.87 million in 2021, and the access gaps reduced from 227 to 114,” he said.
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Danbatta assured that the Commission will not rest on its oars in supporting Internet penetration and improvement of services but is prepared to support internet penetrations and digital skills to give concrete expressions to policies and initiatives to close identified gaps.
“The Commission is quite conscious of the need to do more and considers this Roundtable as another opportunity to gather feedback as well as expert opinions of participants. Therefore, all participants are enjoined to contribute freely and recommend measures that will further support Nigeria in meeting its connectivity target and develop a robust digital economy. We look forward to the outcome of your deliberations and expect feedback that will deepen the conversations on policies and initiatives for digital access and connectivity in Nigeria,” the EVC urged participants.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, applauded consistent growth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which hit 17.
Pantami said digital access and connectivity have become a necessity, as they play an increasingly vital role in our everyday lives and have become key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Minister also assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the digital economy, with a promise that “the Nigerian government will ensure that all critical infrastructure is made available for the facilitation of digital connectivity, transformation and ultimately, the realisation of a robust digital economy”.