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NCC to sustain drive for digital economy transformation, says Danbatta

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC

*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission says despite the outbreak of COVID-19 with its attendant challenges, the Commission has continued to work assiduously with various stakeholders on how more businesses can embrace digital platforms for delivering quality services for enhanced consumer experience

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasised the commitment of the Commission to continually drive initiatives that accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure in order to enhance economic transformation of the West African country.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, reiterated the Commission’s commitment in this regard while speaking at the NCC Day, at the recently-concluded 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, organised by the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, noted Prof. Danbatta spoke on the overarching theme of the event, “Strategising Nigerian Economy for Global Competitiveness,” in the context of the regulatory activities of the Commission in the country.

The NCC EVC/CEO, represented at the event by Attah Ogbadu, a Senior Manager at the Commission, said the NCC has been at the heart of providing the digital impetus for transforming the businesses and sustaining socio-economic activities in Nigeria.

Due to the COVID-19-induced economic downturn and continued volatility, several countries are exploring policies to stimulate growth and create new jobs, said he. Danbatta further stated: “Information Communications Technology (ICT) is one of the fastest-growing industries because it triggers the creation of millions of jobs and therefore an enabler of innovation and socio-economic development.”

According to NCC Chief, while COVID-19 pandemic came with its attendant challenges, the Commission has continued to work assiduously with various stakeholders to see how more businesses can embrace digital platforms for delivering their services to the consumers.

He further explained that aside from accelerating digital infrastructure, NCC is also paying attention to ensuring a level-playing ground for operators to promote investment and delivery of innovative services to individual consumers, Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and big business owners by ensuring enhanced consumer quality of experience.

“So, as a regulator, we also ensure we constantly inform you, the consumers, on how to be protected to prevent cases of online fraud and otherwise ensure you do not fall victims to cybercrimes while using the internet, legitimately”, Danbatta stated to underscore NCC’s commitment to consumer protection.

Also speaking at the NCC Day forum, Suleiman Aliyu, President of KADCCIMA, who was represented by Farouk Sulaiman, an official of the Chamber, commended NCC for its regular and impactful attendance and participation at the trade fair.

Aliyu also placed on record NCC’s commitment to improving network coverage and consumer-centric initiatives, which are increasingly impacting job creation, emergence of new services and industries, workforce transformation, and business innovation.

Aliyu, in regard to theme of the event, said that it was chosen to complement the efforts of the government at promoting economic growth.

The KADCCIMA President also asserted that the critical impact of the communications sector on the country’s economic output is evident in its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to Aliyu, “the competitiveness of Nigeria would depend on our ability to leverage new technologies in light of the rapid growth of the number of active mobile subscriptions, internet subscribers, and Broadband penetration, indices of telecom sector’s mark as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.”

The Commission as well noted that majority of telecoms consumers, who attended the trade fair, visited the NCC Day event and the NCC corner of the Exhibition Group of the KADCCIMA.

Officials of NCC’s Consumer Affairs Bureau at the stand educated the enthusiastic consumers on the various consumer-centric initiatives instituted by the Commission to inform, educate and protect consumers.

The telecoms consumers also took the opportunity of the platform provided by NCC at the Fair, to make complaints and to resolve their service-related challenges at the NCC Stand of the Exhibition, which also housed representatives of telecoms operators who responded to the concerns of the consumers.

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