By The local content polices of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has through Nigeria’s telecommunications industry created business in excess of N55 billion.
Also the NCC policy ban on importation of wholebody SIM cards has eased the burden on our demand for foreign exchange.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta made who this known in his keynote address at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo(NTICE) while recounting the achievements of NTICE 2023 also revealed that the local SIM card manufacturers in Nigeria have created direct and indirect jobs.
Danbatta in his keynote address with the with the theme: Harnessing Indigenous Content; Networking to Boost Investmentsdisclose that the NCC has incentivized the manufacturing of Corrugated Optical Duct (COD) that will be used to protect our fibre infrastructure from the incessant cuts experienced by our service providers.
Represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr Ubale Maska, the NCC noted that “the Commission is equally committed to continuously supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Innovators to promote our talented young persons and ventures though Angel Investments, R&D support, exposure to Investors and sponsorship to local and international tech events.”
He described NTICE as one of the greatest achievements of the Commission NTICE is one of the achievements noting that “it has served not only to promote Pillar number five (Strategic Partnering) of the Strategic Management Plan SMP 2020-2024 of the Commission but has also become the flagship indigenous content
event for the industry.”
Danbatta called on stakeholders in the industry
to seize the opportunities presented by NTICE 2023 to bridge digital divide gap by
advocating for accessible technology and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are extended to every corner of Nigeria.
According to him, this inclusivity is crucial in driving equitable growth and empowering communities to be active participants in the digital revolution.
“The Commission is fully committed to the drive of the Federal Government to place the Nigerian Economy on a sustainable pedestal through all the necessary policies put in place”, he said.
He added:”When we created the Nigeria Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) as a Special Purpose Vehicle under the
Commission to drive the National Policy for Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector in July 2021, the Office was given four areas of focus: Manufacturing, Human Capacity, Research & Development (R&D) and Software & Services development for the telecoms sector.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) Lead Team, Engr Babagana Digima stated that NTICE is anexus of opportunities for creativity and innovation.
He said that NODITS was organised to encourage to explore digital innovatiothat would impact the telecoms industry adding that participants would have opportunities to share insights for digital transformation.
