According to the Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, Nigeria is ranked 11th in the world in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage.
Danbatta made the statement at the Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry’s opening ceremony on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the two-day forum is: “Contextualising the Network Readiness Index (NRI) for the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry”.
According to the EVC, represented by Mr. Abraham Oshadami, Head, of Spectrum Database Management, global data collected by the NRI team demonstrated that digital transformation was a global need in order to maximize the social and economic effects of the digital era.
He said the NRI explored the performances of 131 economies in four categories, which include: Technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact.
“Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82 percent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 percent of the continent’s internet consumption, Danbatta said.
He reiterated that “Our nation rates eleventh globally in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage.
“The global data collected by the NRI team reveals that digital transformation is a global imperative in order to maximize the social and economic effects of the digital era.
“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.”
Danbatta said as agents of social and economic transformation in the nation, prioritizing network readiness was not only a strategic necessity but a mandate.
“It can create new inequalities which can hinder the ability of younger generations to engage in the digital economy but also remains a powerful way to do more with less at all levels of income.
“Formal education is evolving, and metrics are important to support informed policymaking.
“This requires reskilling and upskilling opportunities to be available, accessible, and affordable in order to have more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies.
“The NRI is a guiding metric that measures the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“To navigate this era of transformation, we must embrace innovation, make strategic investments, and cultivate a growth-friendly ecosystem,” Danbatta added.
He also urged stakeholders to use the chance to research emerging technologies, imagine their possible applications, and assess how they may be used to address specific concerns.
Danbatta added: “This platform is our gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions that can positively transform our industry.
“By engaging in conversations about new technologies, collaborating with global best practices and subject-matter experts, and pooling our insights, we open the door to unimaginable future possibilities.”
Dr Chidi Diugwu, Head, of New Media and Information Security, NCC, in his opening remarks, urged the stakeholders to embrace insights offered by NRI to guide policies, investments, and collaborations.
Diugwu said this would enable the nation to harness the potential of emerging technologies, invest in human capital, and foster innovation.
This, he added, would lead to the unlocking of new opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and create a prosperous and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.
Diugwu added: “As we move forward, let us embrace the insights offered by the NRI to guide our policies, investments, and collaborations to enable us to harness the potentials of emerging technologies,
“Investing in human capital, and fostering innovation that will unlock new opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and create a prosperous and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.”
The Executive-Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska, said NRI was a strong indicator of how the country was adapting to the digital transformation happening all over the world.
He said: “NRI is a strong indicator of how the country is adapting to the digital transformation that is happening all over the world, and will help us access our progress and position on the global digital train.
“This forum seeks to examine the different barriers and key drivers of emerging technologies as far as the Nigerian telecommunications industry is concerned.”
