The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday disclosed that the number of Internet users in the country rose to 103 million in May.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, gave this hint in Abuja at the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF) 2018 with the theme ‘Internet: An Enabler for Good Governance’.
The industry chief regulator, who was represented by the Director, New Media and Information Security of the commission, Mr Haru Alhassan, noted that the latest figures represented an impressive growth from the 28 million internet users recorded in 2012.
He enthused: “This evolution shows the importance of harnessing the benefit of internet for good governance. This figure of the internet subscribers’ data highlights the importance and the value of internet.”
Danbatta also told the audience that the commission would also license three additional Infrastructure Company (INFRACOs) as a strategic option to boost broadband penetration in the country.
According to him, the three INFRACOs now awaiting approval when given the nod would raise the number of such companies to seven. Early this year, the commission licensed two infrastructure companies to enhance internet penetration and increase broadband services nationwide.
The two INFRACOs licensed early this year are, Zinox Technology Ltd. for Southeast and Brinks Integrated Solutions Ltd. for Northeast.
Before this year’s licensing round, the commission had over a year ago licensed MainOne Cable company to provide services in Lagos, while HIS was licenseed to cover the North Central Geopolitical Zone, including Abuja.
Dambatta said that the forum was was very important in bringing various stakeholders to discuss issues of internet governance.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi Prof. Muhammad Mainnima, said that the theme of forum was apt in view of the impending 2019 general elections, and the roles Information Communication Technology (ICT) would play in the elections.
He said: “While we agree that internet can promote good governance, it is important to think of how to make Nigeria cyberspace safe and secured. Therefore, it is my sincere hope that this year’s conference will add value positively to the narratives of good governance powered by the internet,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the NIGF Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Group, Mrs Mary Uduma, said that NIGF was the local initiative of the UN Internet Governance that was agreed on by the world in 2005 and has been playing significant roles in discussing Internet-related public policy issues.
