Pantami assures Nigerian consumers of proactive regulation as IoT beckons

*Prof. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, Nigeria’s Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, says Internet of Things is crucial to modern technologies for its connectedness to devices in facilitating productivity, minimising waste, and ensuring a faster decision making process in the economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Prof. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, has assured Nigerians that the relevant regulatory framework has been designed to address probable challenges with the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the West African country.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Pantami disclosed this development at the twin event – Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Regulatory Roadmap for IoT Ecosystem in Nigeria, hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); and presentation of his two books held Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Lagos.

L-R: Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC; Engr. Fidelis Onah, Compere and Retired NCC Staff; and Engr. Bako Wakil, Director of Technical Standards & Network Integrity at NCC, at the Event in Lagos

The Minister declared that Nigeria has already exhibited its preparedness to harness the potential of this new service, as demonstrated in the reduction in incidence of cybercrimes in the country over the past two years.

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Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated Pantami also emphasised the need for the type of consultations and brainstorming being hosted for IoT, as the International Data Corporation (IDC) revealed that, “by 2025, there will be about 46.1billion IoT devices that are going to be interconnected globally…and through this connection, the data to be generated will be up to 79.4 zeta bites.”

At a gathering that featured presentations by local and international experts, with the Secretary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Houlin Zhao, participating virtually, the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy further said IoT is crucial to present-day emergent technologies, considering its connectedness to devices in facilitating productivity, minimise waste as well as ensure a faster decision-making process where massive amount of data can be analysed and presented for decision making.

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In an address of welcome at the event, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), earlier explained that, in the process of undertaking its responsibility of regulation, the Commission has made it a consistent practice to interact with experts and key players in the industry on how best to facilitate the development of robust regulations for emergent technologies in the country.

Danbatta also said this consultation presented a unique opportunity to appraise the emergence and future deployment of IoT products and services for the benefit of Nigerian telecoms consumers.

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In his goodwill message and review of one of Pantami’s books entitled: ‘Datafication of Society to Foster an Internet Economy,’ ITU Scribe Zhao commended Nigeria’s cooperation within the international telecommunications community, and how Pantami especially assisted in the facilitation of programmes of the ITU.

He as well noted the Minister’s recent Chairmanship of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

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In the review of Pantami’s second book entitled: ‘Cybersecurity: Initiatives for Securing a Country’, Prof. Mike Hinchey of the University of Limerik, in Ireland, who doubled as Keynote Speaker at the event, commended the Pantami.

Hinchey stated that the book is a bold statement that Africa is no longer waiting on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry side-lines, but is now creating content for its institutions.

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In a panel discussion, featuring experts from various sectors of the ICT industry, the challenges and prospects of IoT within the Nigerian telecom ecosystem were reviewed with a view to preparing the country for the future application of IoT products and services.