….accounts for 82% of Africa’s Internet subscriptions
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta, on Thursday disclosed that Nigeria now ranked 11th position in the latest report on Internet penetration and 7th in mobile phone usage ranking globally.
Danbatta, who gave this hint at the opening ceremony of the Emerging Technology Workshop and Forum for the telecom industry held in Abuja, also described Nigeria as Africa’s telecommunications powerhouse with 82% of the continent’s telecoms subscribers and 29% in Internet consumption.
Despite the impressive scorecard, the EVC still noted that Nigeria’s ranking globally in relation to Network Readiness Index (NRI) was not impressive.
Represented at the event by the commission’s Director of Spectrum Administration, Engr Abraham Osadami, the EVC said Nigeria would need to expand its telecommunications infrastructure to attain improved ranking in the NRI chart.
He said:” Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82% of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29% of the continent’s internet consumption. Our nation rates eleventh globally in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage.
”Despite these remarkable metrics, the fact that our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 is 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging.
”It explores the performances of 131 economies in four key categories: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact. As agents of social and economic transformation in our nation, prioritizing network readiness is not only a strategic necessity but a mandate”, Danbatta added.
On the significance of the forum, the EVC told the stakeholders that the surge in data utilisation, the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the advent of artificial intelligence, and the emergence of cutting-edge technologies necessitated the need for ongoing network surveillance and expansion.
According to him, to navigate this era of transformation, Nigeria must embrace innovation, make strategic investments, and cultivate a growth-friendly ecosystem.
The EVC said that though the industry had recorded significant growth in the past two decades, more investments would be needed to upscale its performance and meet the expectations of the citizens.
He expatiated: “As we convene here today, the innovation symphony resonates with our common goals. The Emerging Technology Forum acts as a beacon, directing us towards the intersection of transformation and advancement.
“This forum is where we bridge the divide between aspiration and achievement. Through spirited dialogues, collaborative exchanges, and the exploration of emerging technologies, we move closer to our vision of a fully interconnected, telecommunications-driven Nigeria,” Danbatta added.
