The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has advised business owners in the country to adjust to the potential risks of disruptive technologies now being adopted globally to enhance productivity and sustainability.
The industry regulator told industry leaders and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovators, who gathered at the 2023 edition of the Information, Communication, Technology and Telecommunications (ICTEL) expo organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos, that innovations in the global ICT industry had become business and enhancing.
The EVC, who was represented at the forum by the Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau at the Commission, Mr. Alkasim Umar, said technology had been playing significant roles in shaping the world people live in, noting, however, that in recent years, the advancements in ICT have accelerated at an unprecedented rate.
Danbatta pointed out that as the world continued to grapple with the 4th Industrial Revolution driven by the Internet, advancements in many facets of ICTs, were fundamentally changing all aspects of people’s lives and reshaping economic, social and cultural paradigms globally.
He listed such disruptive technologies to include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain Technology, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Fifth Generation (5G) and other emerging technologies which have demonstrated the potential of transforming industries and business models.
Danbatta said: “Today, we find ourselves amid a digital revolution, where the boundaries between physical and virtual worlds are blurring. So, as we navigate the era of tech disruptions, it is crucial for businesses to embrace innovation and adapt to the changing landscape. Companies that are agile and willing to experiment with these emerging technologies will gain a competitive advantage in their respective industries.
“By embracing tech disruption, we are empowering individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive in the digital age. Together, let us build a Nigeria where technology is a catalyst for inclusive growth, innovation flourishes, and the benefits of connectivity reach every Nigerian,” the EVC added.
He assured that the NCC’s strategic management plan represented the Commission’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to transform industries and drive positive change.
The President of LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, who commended the Commission’s efforts in providing a predictable telecom regulatory environment, noted that the theme of this year’s edition of the ICTEL Expo had been carefully chosen considering the far-reaching impact disruptive technologies are having on businesses around the world.
NCC’s Zonal Controller, Lagos, Engr. Yomi Arowosafe, who was part of the team to the well-attended ICT Expo, received an LCCI Appreciation Award presented to Prof. Danbatta by the Vice President of LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, in recognition of Danbatta’s contribution towards the success of the 2023 ICTEL Expo recently held in Lagos.
