Telecom
Digital Transformation: DT-TWGs Critical to Implementation of NDEPS — Prof. Pantami
Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has said that the Digital Transformation Technical Working Group (DT-TWG) is a critical instrument for the implementation of all pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
L-R: Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) during the event in Abuja
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu said this today in Abuja while delivering his remarks as the chief host and special guest of honour, at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of “Digitalisation Hangout with DT-TWG Chairmen.”
The hangout is aimed at bringing together Members of the DT-TWG and key industry players.
Prof. Pantami quoted a 2020 Report by Deloitte which indicates that digital transformation can help accelerate progress towards enterprise goals such as financial returns, workforce diversity, and environmental targets by 22%.
He said that, “according to Gartner, global IT spending would reach $3.9 trillion in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to act as a catalyst for digital transformation in almost every major industry,” adding that the World Economic Forum has noted that “digital transformation across the globe can benefit the region of $100 trillion between now and 2025.
He gave instances of how DTTWG is instrumental to the implementation of NDEPS, stating that on developmental Regulation, DT-TWG will be required to ensure all ICT and digital technologies-related policies and regulations are adhered to by their organizations in a manner that enables national development.
“Service and Soft Infrastructure are critical to achieving appropriate Government Digital Services (GDS) deployment and strengthening public confidence in the use of digital technologies and services. DT-TWGs are expected to support the Federal Government in developing citizen-friendly digital mechanisms to support service innovations and digital transformation for a Digital Nigeria.
DT-TWGs are required to give preference to indigenous digital solutions while making IT decisions in their respective organisations in line with Executive Orders 003 and 005 of President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is also in line with the NDEPS pillar on indigenous content development and adoption, to mention a few,” the minister stated.
Prof Pantami pointed out that at the centre of this transformation is human capital development, which without it, according to him, nothing can be achieved.
While giving his opening remarks, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said, “We expect a drastic surge in digital transformation initiatives within the public sector in the coming years to keep up with the pace of digital shift.”
He estimated as reported by Statista, in 2020, that the global digital transformation spending was $1.31 trillion from $1.18 trillion USD in 2019 which he said is projected that, the spending will reach 1.78 trillion by 2022.
He cited another research by the International Data Corporation (IDC) that predicts the direct digital transformation investments will total $6.8 trillion between 2020 and 2023.
He stated further that, the report confirmed that 65% of the world’s GDP is set to be digitalised by 2022, and 70% of all organisations globally will have accelerated use of digital technologies.
This he said, implies transforming existing business processes and models to drive customer engagement, employee productivity, and business resiliency.
“Today, we have achieved another milestone by creating a platform for bringing together the DT-TWG members and the key players in the technology industry.
“We hope this engagement will foster cooperation between the DTTWGs and technology industry players and provide a platform where experiences, achievements, and challenges will be shared”, the DG said.
“We are optimistic that this will also be a platform for constructive stakeholders’ inputs and buy-in and ultimately a medium for rights decisions and devising feasible strategies towards improving digital transformation maturity in the public sector” he added.
Mallam Abdullahi stated that “we have ensured that the composition of DT-TWG of each Federal Public Institutions (FPIs), consists of 10 members cutting across strategic departments with at least two (2) persons from the IT/ICT/e-Government departments and three other persons from core business departments of the FPIs”.
He explained that this composition is to ensure that the core business and the IT people cooperate and develop the capability to manage digital transformation projects successfully.
According to Mallam Abbdullahi, criteria of membership of the DT-TWG’s mandates that the Group shall be chaired by the Director/Head of ICT/IT/e-Government except where there is no such designation. The Chief Executives are at liberty to choose the leader of the group.
NITDA Boss revealed that the Agency has organised training that lasted for a month in which 442 members were certified. The DT-TWG members were taken through the basic required knowledge to carry out their responsibilities efficiently while leading digital transformation in their organisation.
The Managing Director, Nigeria Communication Satellite, Mrs Abimbola Alale while giving her goodwill message said the hangout is apt as it is coming at the time the Head of Service of the Federation has directed that all government processes should be digitalised.
During a goodwill message delivered by the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MainOne Ms Funke Opeke, mentioned that there is no denying the role that digital technology is playing in transforming the way businesses are carried out.
She affirmed her organisations willingness to continue to partner with the Agency to develop a sustainable digital economy.
Other industry heavy weights in attendance includes Executive Vice Chairman NCC, NIPOST, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Nigeria, Nigeria Computer Society, Delloite Nigeria, Sidmach, Backbone Connectivity limited, Ntel, Cyberspace limited and many more.
House of Representatives, during Tuesday’s plenary, approved the sum of N479.508 billion budget for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the 2026 fiscal year.
The resolution was passed after the clause-by-clause consideration of the report at the Committee of Supply.
While giving synopsis of the report, Peter Akpatason, chairman, House Committee on Communications, explained that the total sum of N479,508,260,000 is to be issued from the Statutory Revenue Fund of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Out of the issued sum, N124,440,652,000 is meant for Recurrent Expenditure; N26,779,045,000 is for Capital Expenditure; N32,011,492,000 is for Special Projects, while the sum of N20 billion is for Transfer to Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), N276,277,071,000 is for Transfer to Federal Government for the financial year ending 31st December, 2026.
National Consumers Advocacy Network (NCAN), a consumer advocacy group focused on protecting the rights of consumers, has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),for introducing a policy compelling telecom operators to compensate subscribers for poor network service.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Dr Tobi Olanrewaju, its president, the group described the directive as a bold and consumer-focused intervention.
The group noted that the move, which has already seen major telecom operators begin compensating subscribers with airtime credits, marks a shift from what it described as regulatory leniency to measurable accountability.
“For years, Nigerian telecom subscribers have endured suboptimal service quality with little or no consequence for operators,” the statement read.
“What we are witnessing under Dr Aminu Maida is a clear assertion that regulatory oversight must translate into tangible benefits for consumers. This is not merely about compensation; it is about restoring trust in the system.”
According to Olanrewaju, the policy’s provision for automatic compensation without requiring subscribers to lodge complaints demonstrates a strong understanding of the challenges faced by many Nigerians.
“This intervention acknowledges a fundamental principle that the burden of service failure should not rest on the consumer,” he said.
He added that linking compensation directly to actual service disruptions at the local level sets a new standard in regulatory practice.
The group also praised the Commission’s decision to monitor service quality at the Local Government Area level, describing it as a step towards capturing real user experiences rather than relying on general national data.
Olanrewaju further commended the Commission’s simultaneous push for telecom operators to invest in network upgrades, noting that the approach addresses both immediate and long-term concerns.
“While consumers receive immediate value for past deficiencies, the root causes of poor service are being systematically addressed,” he said.
The advocacy group urged telecom operators to embrace the directive as an opportunity to rebuild consumer trust and improve service delivery.
It also called on other regulatory agencies to adopt similar people-centred approaches in tackling systemic challenges across sectors.
“Dr Maida has demonstrated that regulation, when properly executed, can serve as a powerful tool for social and economic justice,” Olanrewaju added.
The group reaffirmed its support for the Commission’s ongoing reforms and called for sustained collaboration between regulators, operators, and consumers.
It added that the true success of the policy would be measured by lasting improvements in network performance across the country.
Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have reportedly recovered over N2 trillion from subscribers in a sweeping debt recovery campaign that has left millions unable to make calls due to unpaid airtime and data loans.
The aggressive enforcement follows new compliance requirements introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which telecom operators reportedly failed to meet, according to The News Chronicle.
This led to the suspension of airtime and data lending services and triggered a nationwide push to recover outstanding debts.
As part of the measures, indebted subscribers have had their lines restricted from making calls until their loans are fully repaid.
The move has disrupted daily life across Nigeria, particularly for small business owners and workers who depend heavily on mobile connectivity.
The lending service, valued at over N400 billion annually, has long served as a financial lifeline for many Nigerians, especially those without access to formal credit systems.
However, its sudden suspension has forced users to seek alternative means to clear their debts or abandon their lines altogether.
Meanwhile, a legal dispute involving Nairtime Nigeria Limited has added another layer of complexity.
A Federal High Court in Abuja recently ordered MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria to maintain access to key telecom infrastructure, including USSD and SMS services linked to the platform.
Despite the court’s interim injunction, lending services tied to the platform remain unavailable, indicating ongoing tensions between telecom providers, regulators, and fintech firms.
Industry stakeholders warn that the disruption highlights deeper challenges within Nigeria’s digital economy, where telecom infrastructure increasingly supports financial services.
Millions of users who rely on airtime and data borrowing remain disconnected, caught between regulatory policies, corporate disputes, and the need for affordable communication.
As pressure mounts, both regulators and telecom operators are expected to seek a resolution that balances consumer protection with uninterrupted access to essential digital services.
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