Telecom
FG Applauds NCC’s Commitment to Enhancing Digital Skill in Youths
The Federal Government has applauded the commitment and dedication of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) towards enhancing digital skills development among youths, through implementation of various Information and Communication Technology skill acquisition programmes.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, minister of Interior, and Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, gave the commendation during the inauguration of a Digital Nigeria Centre (DNC), a project executed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an arm of NCC, at the Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun State recently.
Representing President Muhamadu Buhari at the event, Aregbesola commended the NCC for timely and thorough implementation of the project, saying he was confident that the project will promote the connection of public secondary schools to broadband internet in Ilesa community and ultimately equip beneficiaries with 21st century skills.
“I would like to thank my very good friend and brother, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, for assenting to our request to have the first of this remodeled project in Osun State sited in Ilesa.
“I will also like to thank the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and the entire Management and staff of NCC and the USPF, as well as their technical partners for a timely and successful completion of this laudable project,” he said.
On the sideline of the commissioning, Aregbesola also announced the establishment of President Muhammadu Buhari N100 million Technology Fund for Youth Empowerment, to nudge the emergence of world class technology experts.
The Minister of Interior stated that the Fund targets 2,000 youths in the next two years, who will be provided with devices for training in different areas such as software development and design, amongst others.
Adegboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Babatunde Olawale, expressed the gratitude of the State Government to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission, for initiative and particularly for inaugurating the pioneer remodeled DNC project in Osun State.
Oyetola also informed the enthusiastic gathering that Osun State Government was willing and ready to collaborate with NCC to replicate the project in other parts of the State.
Speaking in the same vein, Pantami, who was represented at the event by the Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, also commended the NCC and USPF on the delivery of the DNC project on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He declared that the project and similarly instituted ones were initiated by government to give expression to its vision to effectively digitise the nation’s economy for increased prosperity for all Nigerians.
Pantami stated that the Federal Government is focused on promoting digital economy across the country and that this had informed the renaming of the Ministry of Communications to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
On the heels of the re-christening, Pantami recalled that the Federal Government emplaced Digital Nigeria-oriented policies to reinforce the focus of existing policies in order to accelerate the delivery of derivable benefits of digital economy to Nigerians, regardless of their locations and circumstances.
Very central among the policies is the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, a 10-year, eight-pillar focused blueprint for actualising Federal Government’s digital economy agenda unveiled in November, 2019.
Pantami asserted that the DNC inaugurated at Ilesa was a concrete implementation of the Digital Literacy and Skills, the second pillar of NDEPS.
According to Pantami, the overarching objective of the DNC project is to facilitate adoption of digital lifestyle in the schools as well as in the school communities.
The Minister averred that the project’s significance cannot be under-estimated, considering its ability to improve digital skill for the youths and subsequently make them globally competitive.
Pantami said the Nigerian government is determined to arm the youths with digital skills, strong literacy and numeracy skills, critical and innovative thinking skills, complex problem solving aptitude, the ability to collaborate, and deploy socio-emotional skills, which they require to transform their lives and build the economy.
“We have already made a number of giant strides in the development of our digital economy culture and the deployment of initiatives such as the Digital Nigeria Centre eloquently demonstrates the current administration’s commitment to connecting all Nigerians,” Pantami said as he equally expressed Federal Government’s commitment to its tripartite agenda of improving the economy, curbing corruption and enhancing national security through effective deployment of ICT in all nooks and crannies of the country.
In his remark, Danbatta, who was represented at the event by the Commission’s Director of Projects, Iyabode Solanke, said all the regulatory activities, initiatives and programmes that the Commission had undertaken since 2019, in collaboration with its critical stakeholders, including its arm, the USPF, have been targeted at giving concrete expression to Nigeria’s deliberate policy to migrate to a full digital economy.
He said the Commission achieves this by consistently committing itself to expansion of appropriate infrastructure to enhance digital literacy and skills in view of the economic and social impact of digitization on all sectors.
The NCC Chief Executive restated the Commission’s commitment to the overall objective of bridging the digital divide through the provision of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as broadband access to the unserved and underserved institutions and communities in the country.
Earlier, the Principal of Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ramota Ilesanmi, thanked the President Buhari-led Federal Government for the project, saying that it will go a long way in meeting the ICT needs of students and residents of the city.
The DNC, formerly known as School Knowledge Centre (SKC), is one of the projects in the Access Programme framework of the USPF, conceptualized to promote the availability and utilisation of ICT and resources of the Internet in teaching and learning in public schools in underserved, unserved and rural areas.
Specific objectives of DNC are to increase ICT literacy among school teachers and students; provide a platform for accessing online educational resources; equip students with ICT skills; facilitate ICT adoption in teaching and learning; as well as increase pass rate in Mathematics, English language and other science subjects.
Telecom
Tariff Hike Threat: NCC Urges Telcos to Reduce Operating Cost
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged telecommunications operators in the country to embrace infrastructure sharing to reduce their operating cost.
This is coming on the heels of calls by both Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) for cost-reflective pricing model after 11 years.
But during the 2nd edition of the West African Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition at the weekend in Lagos, Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman, NCC, said operators in the telecommunications sector could reduce their cost and enhance service delivery through partnerships.
Maidan was represented by Mr Victor Adoga, head, Next Generation Technology and Standards at the NCC.
He said the short-term remedy is public-private partnerships, infrastructure funds, and innovative financing models like Infrastructure as a Service.
He said, “Today, we boast of over 219 million mobile subscribers and a burgeoning tech-savvy population eager to harness digital technologies.
“However, while our growth has been remarkable, it has not been without its challenges. Issues such as uneven service distribution, infrastructural deficits, and regulatory uncertainties have occasionally hindered our progress.
“Yet, each challenge also presented a unique opportunity for growth and innovation.”
The NCC boss also advised the operators to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to optimize network management, predict maintenance needs, and enhance customer service through automation, and advanced analytics is also necessary.
“Another strategy is developing smart infrastructure, because as cities become smarter, telecom infrastructure must evolve to support an array of smart city applications, from traffic management systems to public safety solutions,” said the EVC.
Telecom
Wale Owoeye Shines among Nigeria’s Top 50 Digital Economy Leaders
Wale Owoeye, the Managing Director/CEO of Cedarview Communications Limited, a leading ICT firm based in Lagos State, has been honored as one of Nigeria’s 50 most influential personalities in the digital economy.
He received this prestigious recognition at the recent “50 Most Valuable Personalities in Nigeria’s Digital Economy” event held in Lagos.
Organised by IT Edge News Africa, the event brought together key stakeholders from various sectors, including prominent industry associations such as the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the Association of Licensed Data Protection Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON).
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Ike Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria, and Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, a distinguished scholar and politician, delivered keynote presentations.
Olatunji emphasized the crucial role of data protection in the digital economy, while Yilwatda outlined essential steps for Nigeria to maximize opportunities in the digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Nnamani, whose presentation focused on the “Myths and Realities of the Nigerian Digital Economy,” underscored the accelerated digitization of both consumer and enterprise sectors in Nigeria, driving demand for digital skills and data center capacity.
Gathering recognizes Owoeye’s exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s digital economy
The gathering recognized Owoeye’s exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s digital economy. With a remarkable career in Nigeria’s ICT/telecoms sector, Owoeye has successfully steered Cedarview Communications to expand its presence to Port Harcourt and Abuja, offering a wide range of Value Added Services (VAS) in the telecoms market.
Cedarview has also established strategic alliances in Asia, Europe, and the US to facilitate growth in its operational areas. Additionally, Owoeye serves as the VAS Coordinator for the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), further solidifying his impact on Nigeria’s digital economy.
Published since 2009, IT Edge News Africa is one of Africa’s leading technology and business publications.
Telecom
The NCC, Telcos and the Tariff Discourse
By Dr. Falade Muritala Adesola
The telecoms sector in Nigeria is viewed by some as a model of regulatory excellence. Other African countries often visit Nigeria to study the sector, aiming to understand the regulatory framework established by the NCC. This regulatory excellence is evident in the growth and success of the telecoms industry, which currently contributes over 16% to Nigeria’s GDP.
The telecoms industry in Nigeria is a source of pride for everyone; it’s arguably the only sector that can be considered a successful model of liberalization in the country.
Amidst all the successes, the industry is still faced with multiple challenges, including multiple taxation, vandalisation, and changing macro realities. Noteworthy of mention is efforts by the NCC under the new Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Maida to further reposition the industry. Whilst the focus in the past has always been quality of service (QoS) the direction under the new EVC has shifted to quality of experience (QoE) which is more customer-centric and places more demands on the telecoms operators.
The EVC has continued to emphasize this at various engagements with stakeholders in the industry. Beyond advocacy, the visible steps taken so far by NCC under Dr Maida aimed at safeguarding telecom infrastructure deserve commendation. The recent incident of multiple fibre cut, which resulted in widespread network disruptions for one of the major telecoms operators, prompted swift action from the EVC. His advocacy for stricter penalties against perpetrators led to moves by the government to criminalize cable damages and vandalisation of telecoms infrastructure. This proactive stance not only deters future recklessness but also instils confidence among telecoms operators regarding the safety of their investments. However, the long-term viability of the industry hinges on a multifaceted approach that will include protection of telecoms infrastructure, which the NCC is currently spearheading, and sustainable pricing mechanism.
The Nigerian economy is currently grappling with new economic realities that continue to threaten its stability. These realities are not unique to Nigeria but rather a global phenomenon affecting countries around the world. A complex set of factors are exerting considerable pressure on the global economy and causing a slowdown in global growth. This is occurring alongside a marked increase in inflation. As a result, businesses are confronted with a range of challenges including rising costs of capital, a tight labour market, and geopolitical risks. These challenges have been worsened by disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, Israel, and the tensions between the US and China. Many countries are revisiting their policies and implementing new strategies to navigate the turbulent waters.
In Nigeria, the struggle to strengthen the value of the naira to the dollar has continued to gallop as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to pursue new approaches to address the situation. However, challenges such as infrastructural deficit and security concerns continue to persist, further exacerbating the issue. Yet, Nigeria continues to face a significant rise in food prices over the past few years, worsened by the removal of subsidies on petrol, amongst other things. This has resulted in a weakened purchasing power for many citizens with attendant effects on businesses.
In recent times, Nigeria’s naira has tumbled across both official and unofficial markets due to increased forex demand, causing a significant spike in prices of goods and services across the country. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that items contributing to the inflation’s headline index on a year-on-year basis are food and non-alcoholic beverages (16.42%), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel (5.30%), clothing and footwear (2.24%), and transport (2.06%). The NBS explained that the rise in food inflation on a month-on-month basis is due to an increase in the average prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yams, and other tubers, fish, coffee, tea, and cocoa.
These developments paint a bleak picture of the current economic situation in Nigeria and amid all these, discourse around telecoms tariff review is beginning to take centre stage, drawing attention to the need for a delicate balance between economic realities, quality of experience, which impacts directly on customer satisfaction, and telecommunications industry sustainability. For over a decade, major telecom operators like Airtel, MTN, and GLO have maintained their pricing structures, despite mounting challenges such as currency devaluation and inflation while other sectors have adjusted prices to cope with economic fluctuations.
For instance, entertainment giant, DStv, has increased its prices more than two times in the past year. Netflix has also reviewed its prices. Nigerian Breweries have also adjusted their prices to reflect the current realities, but telecom operators have maintained their pricing despite economic fluctuations, grappling with a devalued currency and rising operational costs.
In Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, diesel consumption is a critical factor influencing service reliability and progression. With numerous sites dispersed across the nation, a substantial portion operates on generators 24/7, necessitating continuous fuel supply. This escalating cost of diesel not only directly impacts operational expenses but also cascades into broader challenges such as site accessibility and infrastructural maintenance. As prices soar across various sectors, the telecom industry continues to grapple with the dilemma of maintaining quality services while operating within constrained pricing frameworks.
The prevailing reality suggests that the long-term viability of the telecoms sector now hinges on striking a delicate balance between affordability and quality of experience for consumers on the one hand, and profitability and survival for operators on the other hand.
Quality of experience stands at the forefront of consumer expectations in the telecom sector. However, the telecoms operators must continue to invest to maintain superior quality of experience. In the same vein, continuous and increased investment is a function of profitability. The telcos can only invest from their profits. There can be no investment without profitability. One way to gurantee profitability and sustainability of the industry is a review of the existing pricing structure.
Pricing autonomy is a linchpin for industry sustainability. The ability to set cost-reflective tariffs is indispensable for ensuring adequate returns on investment and fostering long-term viability. Telecom operators require a more transparent and collaborative approach to tariff adjustments, emphasizing the importance of a pricing framework aligned with operational realities. The current pricing window, sanctioned by regulators, is a foundation, but the industry needs greater flexibility to navigate cost fluctuations while ensuring service quality and accessibility remain uncompromised.
The clamour for cost-reflective tariffs is not merely about short-term gains but a strategic imperative to sustain the sector’s growth trajectory. The transition from 2G to 5G and with 6G on the way symbolizes the industry’s evolution, made possible by substantial investments that fuel innovation and expand service capabilities. However, without conducive regulatory frameworks that incentivize investment, the industry risks stagnation, jeopardizing future advancements and undermining service availability.
The telecommunications industry in Nigeria is currently at a crossroads where infrastructural challenges, pricing dynamics, and regulatory frameworks intersect, offering a unique opportunity for swift and collective action. A thriving and resilient telecommunications ecosystem has the potential to empower individuals, drive economic growth and enrich lives across the nation of Nigeria. Whilst the industry regulator has delivered commendably, prevailing realities demand a new approach to ensure continued viability of the sector.
Dr. Falade Muritala Adesola is a Senior Lecturer and former HOD, Computer and Information Sciences Department, Trinity University.
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