The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Danbatta, has revealed that Nigeria is now ranked 11th in terms of internet penetration and seventh in mobile phone usage globally.
During the opening ceremony of the two-day Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry, themed “Contextualising the Network Readiness Index (NRI) for the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry” in Abuja, Danbatta made this announcement.
In his speech, delivered by Abraham Oshadami, NCC’s Head of Spectrum Database Management, Danbatta stated that digital transformation is crucial to harness the social and economic benefits of the digital era, as per the global data collected by the NRI team.
The NRI assesses the performance of 131 economies across four categories: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact.
“Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82% of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29% of the continent’s internet consumption,” said Danbatta.
“Our nation ranks eleventh globally in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage. Nevertheless, our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022, which stands at 109th out of 131 countries, is both humbling and challenging.”
Danbatta emphasized that prioritizing network readiness is not only a strategic necessity but also a mandate, as agents of social and economic transformation in the country.
He also highlighted the potential of digital transformation to create new inequalities that may hinder younger generations’ involvement in the digital economy. However, it remains a powerful means to achieve more with fewer resources across all income levels.
“Formal education is evolving, and metrics are crucial to informed policymaking. This necessitates the availability, accessibility, and affordability of reskilling and upskilling opportunities to foster more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies,” added Danbatta.
The NRI serves as a guiding metric that assesses the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Danbatta urged stakeholders to explore emerging technologies, envision their potential applications, and discover how they can be employed to address specific challenges.
“This platform is our gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions that can positively transform our industry. By engaging in conversations about new technologies, collaborating with global best practices and subject-matter experts, and pooling our insights, we open the door to unimaginable future possibilities,” stated Danbatta.
Dr Chidi Diugwu, NCC’s Head of New Media and Information Security, echoed the importance of leveraging the insights provided by the NRI to guide policies, investments, and collaborations. He called for investment in human capital and the promotion of innovation to unlock new opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and create a prosperous and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.
Ubale Maske, NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, highlighted the significance of the NRI as an indicator of how the country is adapting to the global digital transformation. He expressed that the forum aims to examine the barriers and key drivers of emerging technologies in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.