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Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has expressed his appreciation for the steadfast commitment and continuous collaboration between the Swedish Government and Ericsson. This enduring partnership has greatly contributed to capacity building within the NCC, thereby enhancing the Commission’s regulatory capabilities.
Danbatta conveyed his sentiments during a workshop jointly organized by the NCC and its Swedish counterparts as part of the Swedish Programme for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Developing and Emerging Regions (SPIDER). He emphasized the significant progress made by the NCC in the realm of ICT.
He stated, “This workshop highlights the pivotal role that the Nigerian Communications Commission, as a regulatory authority, plays in the West African sub-region. It also underscores our unwavering dedication to keeping pace with the ever-evolving telecommunications sector.”
The CEO of the NCC reiterated the enduring commitment of both the Swedish Government and SPIDER to the advancement of ICT in emerging regions. He acknowledged their contributions in enhancing access to healthcare, education, income generation, and employment opportunities in West Africa, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation.
Danbatta further remarked, “The periodic strategic engagements facilitated by SPIDER over the years have made the Commission a more effective regulator and have enhanced its contributions to the development of the telecommunications sector. These contributions will further support the creation of an ecosystem that benefits the economies and people of the region.”
Mrs. Annika Hahn, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasized the importance of ICT regulation and capacity building as catalysts for economic development and social progress. She commended the NCC for hosting the event and fostering collaboration between the two nations. Hahn also highlighted the crucial role ICT has played in Sweden’s economic growth, being the birthplace of Ericsson, a pioneer in the ICT sector.
The ambassador underscored the global technological revolution and its potential to drive industrial and economic development. She stressed the necessity for modern and adaptable regulations to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
Hahn further stated, “To cope with this new and rapidly developing environment, we need to regulate in a modern and adaptable way. Therefore, human capacity building in ICT regulation is crucial for all of us.”
She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had accelerated the adoption of ICT worldwide, leading to a surge in Internet users and impacting various sectors, including education, commerce, and financial services. E-learning platforms played a significant role in this transformation.
Regarding mobile subscriptions, Hahn cited Ericsson’s report, which revealed over 900 million registered mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022, with a substantial portion in Nigeria. To achieve the ambitious goal of exceeding one billion mobile subscriptions by the end of 2023 in Sub-Saharan Africa, the ambassador stressed the importance of education as an integral part of regulatory development strategies and policies. This necessitates collaboration in knowledge-sharing and upskilling of human resources among all stakeholders.
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