The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, at the weekend hinted that the commission’s plan was to increase the telecoms industry’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 14% to 25% in the near term
The industry expert, who made this disclosure during the reception organized in his honour by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), maintained the readiness of the commission’s management to consistently adopt strategies required to drive sustainable growth in the telecom sector in the years ahead.
While noting that that there are currently industry’s challenges undermining the optimization of the sector, Maida expressed confidence in the sector’s potential, highlighting its impressive growth and contributions to the economy over the past few years.
The EVC promised the telecom operators and other stakeholders in the rapidly evolving digital economy of the commission’s commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement with a view to boosting the performance of the industry.
According to him, though the sector has performed creditably with its current 14.58% contribution to the nation’s GDP but it could do better if current challenges confronting the sector are frontally tackled.
He said: “I know that there are challenges in the industry. I also want to assure you that we are taking them seriously. Myself and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, are working very closely looking at the right policies to ensure sustainability for an industry that has done so well for the country with 14 per cent GDP contribution. We believe we can do 25 percent and above and work is going on in that regard with the Ministry.”
On the need to optimize the potential of the sector through the right technologies and solutions, Maida noted that the commission and all stakeholders had a lot to do to boost connectivity in the country based on the fact that out of 200 million connected lines, more than half of them are still on 2G network.
He maintained: “There is a lot of work to be done, especially in addressing challenges faced by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for long-term sustainability. I think even the president realizes the importance of the digital infrastructure to the future of Nigeria for this great nation.”
Available data on the commission’s website shows that out of the 219 million active subscriptions recorded as of March this year, 56.97% of them were on 2G compared to 32.74% on 4G network while less than 5% are running on the 5G network.
Earlier in his welcome address at the event, the ATCON president, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, thanked the EVC for adopting an open-door leadership policy which, he said, had enabled all operators and stakeholders in the industry to get closer to the Commission.
He expressed confidence that the EVC’s leadership style would help in tackling the multi-pronged challenges undermining the performance of the industry.
In their remarks, industry investors and ATCON members commended Maida for his leadership style, which is characterized by openness and vision, and expressed optimism about the sector’s future sustainable group during his tenure.
