Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has expressed appreciation for the steadfast dedication and unwavering support of the Swedish Government and Ericsson.This strategic partnership has significantly enhanced the Commission’s regulatory endeavors through capacity building initiatives.
During a workshop co-organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and its Swedish counterparts as part of the Swedish Programme for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Developing and Emerging Regions (SPIDER), Danbatta emphasized the notable progress achieved by NCC in the realm of ICT.
This workshop highlights the crucial role that the Nigerian Communications Commission, in its capacity as a regulatory body, has been fulfilling within the West African sub-region.
Danbatta noted that this also emphasizes the perpetual goal of staying current with the changing trends and constantly evolving dynamics of the telecoms industry.
The Chief Executive of the NCC emphasized the long-standing dedication of the Swedish Government and SPIDER to the advancement of ICT development in emerging areas. The Chief Executive also recognized their contributions in enhancing healthcare accessibility, education, income generation, and employment prospects in West Africa, consequently aiding in the alleviation of poverty.
The Commission’s participation in the periodic strategic engagement facilitated by SPIDER has resulted in improved regulatory effectiveness and increased support to the development of the telecoms industry over time.
The Executive Vice Chancellor (EVC) expressed that this gift will provide additional help in establishing an ecosystem that is advantageous to both the economies and individuals within the region.
During her remarks, Mrs. Annika Hahn, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasized the importance of regulating and enhancing capacity in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) as crucial factors for fostering economic development and promoting social advancement.
The ambassador also expressed appreciation for the NCC’s role in organizing the event and facilitating cooperation between the two countries. The user acknowledges the significant contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to Sweden’s economic prosperity. This is attributed to the fact that Sweden is the origin of Ericsson, which is recognized as one of the oldest and largest ICT businesses globally, with a notable presence and extensive experience in the industry.
Expanding on the topic, the ambassador emphasized the worldwide technology revolution and its capacity to stimulate industrial and economic advancement. The speaker emphasized the necessity of implementing contemporary and flexible regulatory measures in order to effectively manage the swiftly changing environment.
Hahn further asserted that in order to effectively navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, it is imperative to establish regulations that are contemporary and flexible in nature. Hence, the development of human capacity in ICT regulation holds significant importance for the collective welfare of society.
According to the ambassador, the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has expedited the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) on a global scale. This phenomenon has resulted in a rise in the number of individuals utilizing the Internet, since the aforementioned transition has influenced multiple sectors, such as education, business, and financial services. Additionally, she asserted that the utilization of e-learning methodologies across diverse platforms had a pivotal part in facilitating the aforementioned transition.
Expanding on the matter, the Ambassador expressed that Ericsson has provided data indicating that the number of registered mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa exceeded 900 million in the year 2022, with a significant proportion of these subscriptions being attributed to Nigeria.
According to the statement made by the Swedish ambassador, the inclusion of education in regulatory development strategies and policies is crucial for driving growth and achieving the ambitious objective of surpassing one billion mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa by the conclusion of 2023. Consequently, collaboration among all stakeholders is necessary to facilitate knowledge-sharing and enhance the skills of human resources.
