GSM at 25: NCC says mobile revolution reshaped Nigeria’s economy

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the introduction of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 25 years ago transformed not only telecommunications but also banking, commerce, education, entertainment and Nigeria’s wider economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, stated this in remarks delivered by Mojisola Saraki at the 12th edition of the eWorld Forum and book launch held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event, themed “The GSM Digital Milestones: 25 Years On,” brought together stakeholders to commemorate a quarter-century of mobile telecommunications in Nigeria and examine the industry’s future.

Maida said Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape before GSM was characterised by limited access, scarce telephone lines and the high cost and difficulty of communicating beyond one’s immediate location.

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According to him, the introduction and expansion of GSM services fundamentally changed the situation, as mobile phones moved from being luxury items to everyday tools used by millions of Nigerians.

He noted that the impact of GSM went beyond voice calls, with SMS creating a new culture of instant communication and mobile internet opening access to information and digital services.

The subsequent rise of smartphones, he said, transformed mobile devices into platforms for banking, commerce, education, entertainment, social interaction and entrepreneurship.

“Telecommunications evolved into a critical foundation of Nigeria’s digital economy,” the NCC boss said through his representative.

The growth of mobile connectivity has also supported the emergence of fintech companies, digital platforms, software developers, infrastructure providers and technology-driven businesses.

Today, businesses rely on mobile connectivity to engage customers and manage operations, while entrepreneurs increasingly use digital platforms to create, promote and sell products and services.

Maida said the 25-year milestone should therefore serve both as an opportunity to celebrate the industry’s achievements and to examine the challenges confronting its next phase.

He identified infrastructure investment, broadband expansion, quality of service, affordability, cybersecurity and digital inclusion as key priorities for Nigeria’s digital future.

He also pointed to emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and the Internet of Things as technologies capable of further reshaping the sector.

According to him, the central question for the industry is gradually shifting from how to connect Nigerians to what Nigerians can achieve through connectivity.

He said greater digital access must translate into opportunities in education, employment, innovation, entrepreneurship and broader economic participation.

The forum also featured the launch of “Nigeria’s GSM Revolution at 25: The Hall of Digital Pioneers and Players,” authored by veteran ICT journalist Aaron Ukodie.

The book documents the evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry and highlights the contributions of pioneers, regulators, operators, institutions and other stakeholders to the country’s digital transformation.

Twenty-five years after the commencement of commercial GSM services, mobile connectivity has become an integral part of everyday life in Nigeria, carrying not only voice communications but also data, financial transactions, business activities and digital services.

The anniversary, stakeholders said, provides an opportunity to reflect on the industry’s journey while focusing on how Nigeria can deepen connectivity, expand digital inclusion and harness emerging technologies over the next 25 years