82% of African telecom subscriptions are in Nigeria- NCC

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), 82% of all telecom subscribers in Africa are in Nigeria. This demonstrates Nigeria’s large position in the African telecom sector and suggests that a sizeable share of the continent’s telecom subscribers are headquartered there.

At the Emerging Technology Forum’s report for the Telecommunications Industry in Abuja, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), disclosed this. Nigeria accounts for 29% of the continent’s internet consumption, according to the EVC. According to these statistics, Nigeria ranks 7th in the world for mobile phone usage and 11th overall for internet penetration.

Prof. Danbatta pointed out that Nigeria’s Network Readiness Index (NRI) is still relatively low despite these remarkable results.

Network Readiness Index for Nigeria in relation to telecom subscribers

A metric used to evaluate the function and influence of information and communication technology (ICT) is the NRI. Additionally, it assesses how well economies function in relation to four important areas: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and effect.

Nigeria’s NRI ranking of 109th out of 131 nations in 2022 suggests there is an opportunity for growth in these crucial areas. Because it forms the basis for a country’s social and economic transformation, network connectivity is essential.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) emphasized that giving network readiness priority is not only a strategic necessity but also a mandate. In order to use information and communication technology (ICT) effectively, one must have the technological infrastructure, governance structures, qualified staff, and measurable impact.

According to Ubale Maska, Executive-Commissioner of Technical Services at the NCC, the NRI is a reliable indicator of how well a nation is adjusting to the global digital transformation.

Deliberations on the essential components of network readiness can be held at the Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry. The purpose of the forum is to investigate the essential elements of the Network Readiness Index (NRI) through stimulating conversations and presentations by professionals in the field. This score measures how well an economy can use technology to transform itself.

The forum also represents the fusion of innovation and development, pointing participants in the direction of a fusion of game-changing concepts and innovations. It is a location where the gap between goals and achievements is closed. The objective is to move Nigeria closer to its aim of becoming a fully networked, telecommunications-driven country through cooperative discussions and the investigation of emerging technologies.

Adopting the Network Readiness Index’s (NRI) insights could open up new possibilities, close the digital divide, and create the foundation for Nigeria to have a thriving and inclusive digital future. According to Dr. Chidi Diugwu of the NCC, this strategy would enable the nation to capitalize on growing technology advantages and guarantee that these advantages are shared equitably throughout society.

Goals for the forum

The forum’s main objective is to establish best practices and common roadmaps for assessing the social effects of information and communications technology (ICT) while encouraging the use of new technologies.

The goals of the forum include evaluating the most current findings of Nigeria’s NRI, comprehending the challenges and impetuses underlying the adoption of cutting-edge technology, and coming up with workable ideas to support the telecommunications sector.

Through this coordinated effort, Nigeria’s readiness for the digital era is to be improved, and ICT benefits are to be maximized for the growth and development of the country. Utilizing cutting-edge technology to accomplish a variety of objectives is known as “leveraging emerging technologies.”

Dr. Chidi Diugwu, the Head of New Media and Information Security, spoke on the topic and emphasized the significance of utilizing the Network Readiness Index’s (NRI) insights to guide policies, investments, and collaborations.

Stakeholders in the telecommunications industry can take advantage of the promise of developing technologies by incorporating the NRI’s recommendations into their decisions. This entails making investments in the growth of human capital and making sure that the workforce has the knowledge and abilities needed to adapt to and succeed in a technologically advanced environment.

Additionally, developing an innovative culture is made possible when regulations are in line with the NRI’s recognized skills. Accepting the NRI’s insights makes it easier to strategically incorporate developing technologies, resulting in a more connected world and technological advancement.

Author

Samson Ayodeji

I am literally obsessed with technology. I love writing about the latest news in technology in different markets, segments and sectors across the world.

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