NCC accelerates Broadband penetration to transform businesses

*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, restates the telecoms sector regulator is committed to providing the digital drive for transforming businesses and sustaining socio-economic activities in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to continually drive initiatives that accelerate Broadband deployment to increase penetration and make Internet connection readily available to telecoms consumers in the West African country.

Danbatta stated this at the 10th Edition of Business 360 Clinics organised by Abuja Enterprises Agency (AEA) in Abuja, FCT.

High-speed Broadband Internet connectivity

Speaking on the theme of the event, “Technology Utilisation and Innovation: Effects on SME Profitability and Productivity” in the context of the regulatory activities of the Commission, the EVC/CEO, represented by Paul Okeke, Assistant Director, Digital Economy at NCC, noted that the Commission had been at the heart of providing the digital drive for transforming businesses and sustaining socio-economic activities in Nigeria.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Sunday, April 2, 2023, explained during the panel session titled, “Technology Adoption: A Must for MSMEs Sustainability and Competitiveness (Challenges and Ease of Use)”, Okeke highlighted the NCC’s commitment to technological and digital transformation in a manner that makes entrepreneurship seamless.

As regards the challenges of digital literacy, the NCC Assistant Director of Digital Economy also disclosed the Commission has strategic partnerships with various organisations, including Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

According to Okeke, such collaborations have evolved initiatives, such as Digital Economy Academy where business owners learn about security risks and online threats in a 12-course programme for 3 months.

He, therefore, charged entrepreneurs to leverage technology to harness the benefits of these initiatives to sustain their businesses in the economy.

The NCC further stated: “As a regulator of Telecommunications, the Commission is in active collaboration with other agencies in the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, as well as with other public sector institutions, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to ensure that policies become effective in curtailing cyberattacks and threats on businesses.”

The Commission noted the participants and business owners also took the opportunity of the platform to make complaints and resolve their business-related challenges while adopting technology for their various businesses during the interactive session. The telecoms regulator said the representatives of relevant agencies at the event also attended to enquiries from participants who are business owners and managers, as well as other  aspiring entrepreneurs.