The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta has described media in Nigeria as a central stakeholder that has been so supportive and consistent in reporting the developments in the telecommunications industry.

The Management of the Commission, under my leadership, has recognized the media – be it print, broadcast and online – as central stakeholders that have been so supportive and consistent in reporting the developments in the telecommunications industry. It is, therefore, heartwarming that the great minds who help to produce the critical workforce shaping the media industry – professors and scholars in the Mass Communication field – are the founders and members of this great Association.”

Professor Danbatta spoke today, December 1, through the NCC’s Research and Development, Ismail Adedigba, at the 2^nd International Conference of the Association of Media and Communications Research of Nigeria (AMCRON) which held virtually.

The NCC boss noted that there is inseparable convergence and intersections between Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/telecommunications, and the Media of Mass Communication.

“Indeed, ICT/telecommunications and Mass Communication are like Siamese twins when we consider how the former has continued to change the landscape of the latter, both from practical, theoretical, pedagogical perspectives.

“For instance, live events and real-time reporting are now possible, thanks to technological advancement in communication. With ICT, communication is fast, precise and well-targeted. Without these revolutionary changes, mass communication would not be as effective as the world knows it.”

Professor Danbatta, who said that he started out in life as a media man having served in the Nigerian Television Authority in Kano, added that he will always cherish the memory of his stint there.

“Therefore, my relationship with the media industry and Mass Communications field predated my days as a university don and educational administrator and now as CEO of Nigeria’s telecom regulator authority.”

Part of the key-note address of the NCC boss reproduced here:

Having provided this background, permit me to zero in on the topic of my keynote address: Influence of Communication Policies on Digital Revolution in Nigeria. This topic is apt as it provides me with the opportunity to share with this group of distinguished scholars and researchers, various communication policies and strategies formulated and emplaced by the government, which have helped to advance our national aspiration for a digital economy.

By the reckoning of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which I consider reasoned and profound, a communication policy is “a set of prescriptions and norms laid down to guide the behaviour of communication institutions in a country.” By way of giving a contextual interpretation to the conception by UNESCO, communication policies speak to strategies and regulations, and the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) regulatory visions that can nudge people to harness opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution through the embrace of digital culture across sectors by individual, businesses and institutions. Nigeria has fared considerably well in policy designs, and impressively in implementation under the current administration.

Historically, the Wireless Telegraphy Act (WTA) enacted in 1961 and having preceded all other extant laws in the sector provided clarity concerning the nature of the regulatory management of communications in Nigeria. Essentially, the Act seeks to regulate the licensing, location and operation of wireless telegraphy services in Nigeria. Combined with the Nigerian Communications Commission Decree 75 of 1992 and the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) of 2000, the WTA provided the springboard for the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which set the tone for the deregulation and liberalization of the telecom sector. At the risk of immodesty, it is appropriate to say that the Nigerian communications policies in the last 22 years have birthed remarkable, concrete and measurable revolutionary changes.

Ahead of the liberalization of the communication sector in 2000, the NTP noted that the total number of telephone lines at Independence in 1960 was only 18,724 for a population estimated at 40 million people. This translated to a teledensity of about 0.5 telephone lines per 1,000 people. The Telephone network consisted of 121 exchanges of which 116 were of the manual (magneto) type and only 5 were automatic.

The installed switching capacity at the end of 1985 was 200,000 lines as against the planned target of about 460,000. Meanwhile, that has been modest development in the telecommunications industry since the inception of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in 1985. As of 2000, Nigeria had a public network of about 700,000 lines capacity of which 400,000 lines were connected. Nigeria, therefore, was behind in comparative terms juxtaposed with less endowed African countries, let alone advanced countries.

The promulgation of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Decree 75 of 1992, marked a turning point in the trajectory of communication policy formulation and enabling laws in our clime. The NCC’s main objectives at inauguration in 1993, include: Creating a regulatory environment to facilitate the support of telecommunications services and facilities; facilitating the entry of private entrepreneurs into the telecommunications market; and promoting fair competition and efficient market conduct among all players in the industry. As a natural consequence, guidelines were set out for private sectors participation and issuance of licensees to several companies to play in different segments of the Nigerian telecom market. In 2001, the Commission embarked on full deregulation of the market with the issuance of the Digital Mobile Licence (DML) to two private operators, thus breaking the monopoly of the historical sectoral operator, Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).

Today, as you may also be aware, the telecom industry has recorded tremendous growth in all segments of the market. The industry has witnessed quite impressive statistics, pointing to how telecommunications policy and decisions of the government have continued to influence the growth of Nigeria’s digital revolution marked by positive multiplier effects on other sectors of the economy.

The NCA, which is the primary regulatory instrument for the telecommunications sector and is now being considered for a review considering the rapid developments in the digital space, provides a firmer foundation upon which the telecom sector rode to prominence and impact in the last 22 years. Suffice it to say, that between 2001 and now, Nigeria emplaced several forward-looking policy and regulatory initiatives that have consistently put Nigeria on the path of digital innovation and growth.

In specific terms, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020 – 2030, is a major policy driving the digital revolution in Nigeria. The NDEPS, combined with other policy documents, strategies, regulations, guidelines and directions, developed by NCC, facilitated the implementation of the Commission’s mandate. Other policy strategies include the National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, the National Policy on 5G Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy, Commission’s ongoing Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024, and the Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025 (otherwise called SVP II, and sequel to the Eight-point Agenda which was implemented from 2015-2020). The SVP II is indeed an intentional, conscious, and dedicated effort by the Management of NCC to streamline the telecom component of key policy vision of the Federal Government (including the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan) towards a more strategic and measurable implementation.

The Commission has championed the implementation of these policies on digital access and connectivity through various initiatives and regulatory interventions to ensure that more Nigerians have access to digital services that are affordable.

The NDEPS 2020 – 2030 spindles around the following eight pillars to accelerate the development of a digital economy in Nigeria:

1.     Developmental Regulation (effective regulation of the ICT and digital sector in a way that enables and enhances development).

2.     Digital Literacy and Skills (providing policy backing for massive training of Nigerians from all works of life to enable them to obtain digital literacy and other digital skills).

3.     Solid Infrastructure (deployment of fixed and mobile infrastructure to deepen the broadband penetration in the country).

4.     Service Infrastructure (support for Government Digital Services and the provision of robust digital platforms to drive the digital economy).

5.     Soft Infrastructure (strengthening public confidence in the use of digital technologies and participation in the digital economy).

6.     Digital Services Development and Promotion (development of a vibrant digital ecosystem that supports Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDE) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a way that engenders innovation).

7.     Digital Society and Emerging Technologies (focus on tying the development of the digital economy to indices of well-being in the lives of ordinary citizens; mentoring startups on emerging technologies to enable them to deploy their solutions).

8.     Indigenous Content Development and Adoption (provision of a policy framework that gives preference to digitally skilled Nigerians for government-funded projects in line with Executive Orders 003 and 005 of President Muhammadu Buhari).

I am pleased to inform this conference that NCC, in line with its commitment to regulatory excellence, has relentlessly pursued the implementation of NDEPS to achieve the objectives of the Federal Government. Among these objectives are:

a)     Target 70% broadband penetration in 4 years.

b)    To accelerate the digitalization of government processes and improve service delivery, transparency, and accountability.

c)     To improve trust, confidence and security around digital processes and activities.

d)    To attract and grow digital jobs across all sectors of the economy.

e)     To develop the technology start-up ecosystem by actively promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

f)      To support the digital literacy of Nigerian Citizens, Business and Government workers and enable them to acquire cutting-edge digital skills.

g)     To achieve a 95% Digital Literacy Level in Nigeria within the next 10 years.

h)    To develop a digital education curriculum to meet the current and future needs of the Digital Economy.

i)      To ensure that indigenous technology companies can participate actively in government-funded technology programmes; and

j)      To ensure that the policy and regulatory instruments are fit-for-purpose and support the digital business environment.

The implementation of these policies and strategies by the Commission and other stakeholders has resulted in the impressive growth of the economy going to impressive statistics posted by the telecommunications sector.

Today, the active telecom subscribers have grown significantly to 212.2 million from about 400,000 aggregate telephone lines in the country as of 2000, on the eve of liberalisation. This represents a teledensity of 111%. Basic Internet subscriptions grew from zero ground to 152.7 million currently while broadband subscriptions stand at over 86 million, representing a 45.09% penetration as of July 2022.

The industry has also become a major contributor to our national economy with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry contributing 18.94% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of the second quarter of 2022, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). From this, the telecommunications sector alone contributed 15% to GDP.

The ICT contribution to GDP is, by far, the second largest contributor to the national economy aside from the agricultural sector. From less than $500 million investment in 2001, the investment profile in the nation’s telecommunications sector has also surpassed $70 billion. The telecommunication sector has also created direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians to date.

With all these indices of growth in the telecom sector, arising from the effective implementation of various telecommunication policies and strategy documents, the sector has continued to redefine the way we carry out our operational and professional activities with greater efficiency and effectiveness. Access to the Internet, and more importantly, broadband, has become very central to our official and personal lives.

Be it in the media, education, finance, healthcare, transport, governance etc., broadband access has become a necessity. If you think of how the Internet has impacted the process of news gathering, production and dissemination by media professionals and the convergence being experienced across media platforms, then, it won’t be difficult to appreciate the impact of telecom, and by implication, the role of policies, across the spectrum of our daily lives, as individuals and as a nation. The digital revolution now has a profound impression on the way we function as a nation.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, there is no gainsaying the fact that modern media and communications systems are taking on a whole new life and have caused growth in the flow and pattern of information and interpersonal communications (Interactivity). The venue of this event, which is virtual via Zoom is the strongest point in explaining the degree of the digital revolution in Nigeria.

At this juncture, I would like to specifically emphasise the importance of the digital revolution, fueled by the diligent implementation of telecommunication policies, in the Mass communication industry/field.

1.     Digital revolution provides tools for communication: Without ICT/telecommunications tools, communication would not have all the tools it now has at its disposal to revolutionise news production. Internet, websites, blogs, and social media would not exist without ICT. Communication would be taken back to the use of newspapers, traditional TV and radio, making it almost impossible to keep abreast of developments as they are unfolding.

2.      Digital Revolution makes communication fast: Today, you can watch any event in any corner of the world as it is happening. Live events and real-time reporting are now possible, thanks to technological advancement in communication. With ICT, communication is fast, precise and well-targeted

3.     Digital Revolution makes mass communication more affordable: It is no longer a costly affair to pass information. With an internet connection and a computer, anyone can pass information to the world. It costs very little to post news on Facebook, Twitter, and any other social media platforms. Therefore, major media houses around the world are now embracing technological change.

4.     Digital Revolution diversifies communication: It is no longer the time when, if you wanted news, you had to read a newspaper, watch television or listen to the radio. Today, you can get all information on websites, social media pages, and mobile devices. This diversification has made it possible for communication to be efficient, and effective and reach all four corners of the world.

5.     Digital Revolution has enhanced free access to information: Mass communication will never be complete if its product does not reach the intended users. ICT makes sure that communication achieves its intended objective of reaching the masses as the events are breaking.

I would like to emphasize that the influence of telecommunications/communications policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks on Nigeria’s digital revolution has been phenomenal and at NCC, we will continue to do our best in the discharge of the Commission’s mandate, especially in facilitating broadband deployment, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and building our national development in line with the National Digital Economy agenda. We believe that the communications industry, under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will experience more quantum leap and retains its current leadership role in the telecommunications space to lead Nigeria into the next level of development.

Also, the NCC will continue to strengthen collaboration with the media and mass communication scholars such as AMCRON towards creating an environment where stakeholders can leverage digital infrastructure and technology such as the Fifth Generation (5G) network. It is because of the promise of 5G for improved connectivity, better quality of life for individuals, enhanced efficiency for businesses, and quantifiable growth in the economy that the NCC continued to drive the implementation of the 5G policy in Nigeria.

Once again, I congratulate the Governing Council and all members of AMRCOM for convening this event and wish you successful deliberation.

President Muhammadu Buhari has narrated how some state governors have institutionalized corruption in the administration of revenue allocation to local government councils, from the Federation Account.

He said: “What (the governors) did; this is my personal experience, (was that) if the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the Chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The Governor will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.

“And then the Chairman of the local government must see how much he must pay in salaries and to hell with development. When he pays the salaries of the bigman, he will put the balance in his pocket.

“This is what’s happening. This is Nigeria. It’s a terrible thing; you cannot say the person who was doing this is not educated.”

President Buhari, recounted what he called his personal experience at a parley with members of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) No. 44 (2022) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru at the Presidential villa today, December 1.

The President condemned the tendency of some chief executives to encourage corruption in the local government system, thereby inhibiting development at the grassroots.

He called on public office holders to be guided by their conscience and personal integrity wherever they find themselves, even as he promised that the recommendations contained in the presentation of SEC 44 will be painstakingly studied with the view to implementing them.

He said that his government has done so much in building trust between the government and the people, adding that the report would largely assist in the provision of good governance to the people at the grassroots levels to win back their trust in government.

“It is obvious that government cannot afford to pay lip-service to the recommendations contained in this report.

“I assure you that the Report will be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. Government will study the report with the view to implementing the carefully detailed recommendations.”

Buhari commended the quality of the report, the commitment and dedication that went into it, saying that the National Institute can always be trusted to deliver on very critical and sensitive assignments of national importance.

He expressed delight that the Institute has been exceptional in handling several assignments, and the current submission is a commendable improvement on the existing standards.

“The quality of the presentation, and the confidence with which they were made, strongly attests to the quality of training the participants received during the course. I congratulate you for justifying the confidence and trust reposed in each and every one of you by your respective nominations.

“I am also happy with the level of knowledge and discipline you have all openly demonstrated. I have been briefed of the rigorous training process you all underwent at Kuru. Your graduation therefore is well deserved,’’ the President told the 89 participants of Senior Executive Course 44.

He said that he was convinced that they are all now well equipped for the strategic tasks, increased responsibilities, and positions of authority of trust.

“I challenge you to go back to your various establishments, units, posts, beats, departments, directorates, Ministries, Parastatals, commissions, commands, agencies to revitalize, reinvigorate, reform and rejig your various platforms and spheres of influence, responsibility and leadership.”

President Buhari promised to look into some of the challenges facing the Institute, adding that no government establishment exists without challenges.

He assured them that his administration is poised to complete the review and passage of the NIPSS establishment act and condition of service before handover in May 2023.

The President directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to take all necessary steps to its actualization.

Speaking, the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, said that the Course participants undertook study tours of 14 States of the Federation, six African countries and six countries outside Africa.

“This enabled them to have both local and international perspectives on local governance, how to overcome challenges in achieving it, identify the available opportunities to strengthen it and develop workable options to be considered by government in strengthening local governance.”