The Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, delivered a compelling speech during the “NCC Day” at the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). The event took place at the Abuja Trade & Convention Centre, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua Way, Airport Road, Abuja.
The NCC expressed its delight in participating in this significant trade fair, emphasizing its continued commitment to being a strategic partner to the Commerce, Mines, and Industry sectors. The annual “NCC Day” event serves as a crucial platform for engaging with telecoms consumers and business owners from various regions of the country.
This year’s trade fair, themed “Sustainable Financing and Taxation,” is particularly timely, given the pivotal role the telecommunications industry plays in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and improving the quality of life for citizens globally. The NCC recognizes its responsibility in ensuring the sustainability and vitality of the sector.
In his speech, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta highlighted the telecommunications sector as a strategic driver of the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government, contributing significantly to job creation, GDP growth, emergence of new services and industries, workforce transformation, and business innovation.
The speech addressed the importance of sustainable financing for the telecommunications industry, emphasizing the need for stable, accessible, and conducive capital for industry growth. Prof. Danbatta also stressed the delicate balance required in taxation practices to support government initiatives without hindering industry growth.
The NCC’s regulatory efforts to deepen access to digital services were emphasized, with a focus on measures to ensure seamless access to telecommunications services for Nigerians. The latest statistics were presented, indicating the significant growth in mobile subscriptions, teledensity, active internet subscribers, and broadband penetration.
Furthermore, Prof. Danbatta outlined the NCC’s initiatives for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) networks in Nigeria, highlighting the substantial improvements in connection speed, mobility, capacity, and low-latency capabilities. He informed the audience that licensees have commenced the commercial launch of 5G networks in selected cities across the nation.
In conclusion, the NCC expressed gratitude to the Abuja Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the invitation and reiterated its commitment to driving the digital transformation in the Nigerian economy. The Commission encouraged attendees to visit the NCC’s Stand at the exhibition ground for more information and to address service-related queries, enquiries, and complaints.
