Emmanuel OchayiIn a tribute to the strides made in Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) landscape, the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) has showered praise on Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The organization lauds Danbatta’s transformative leadership and unprecedented accomplishments in the nation’s telecom sector.
Under Danbatta’s visionary stewardship, Nigeria’s telecom sector has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, breaking through previous limitations and becoming a beacon of progress. Over his eight-year tenure as the EVC of the NCC, the sector has attracted an astounding $77 billion in investments, firmly establishing itself as a driving force in Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking on behalf of the ICT community, NITRA commended Danbatta for overseeing a sector that now contributes a substantial 16 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a substantial increase from its 8 percent contribution in 2015.
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The sector’s financial impact is undeniable, with recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealing a significant N2.508 trillion contribution to the nation’s GDP in the first quarter of 2023, accounting for 14.13 percent.
National Chairman of NITRA, Chike Onwuegbuchi, expressed, “One of the standout achievements highlighted by the ICT community is Danbatta’s bold embrace of 5G technology, positioning Nigeria as an early adopter in the global digital economy.” This strategic decision resulted in the federal government generating $820.8 million from 5G spectrum license fees paid by leading operators.
Onwuegbuchi further noted, “The issuance of a license to Elon Musk-owned SpaceX for Starlinks broadband services, a satellite-based wireless broadband offering with nationwide coverage potential, has been a game-changer for the industry and a testament to Danbatta’s forward-thinking approach.”
The ICT community also underscored the remarkable surge in telephone users, internet subscribers, and broadband users during Danbatta’s tenure, reaching 218.9 million, 159.5 million, and 88.7 million, respectively. These figures, coupled with the creation of numerous jobs, underline the sector’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic development.
The ICT group praised Danbatta’s unwavering commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence, and active stakeholder engagement, highlighting the sector’s resilience in the face of challenges such as infrastructure vandalism, regulatory complexities, and power supply issues.
Emphasizing the need for replicating the telecom sector’s success in other industries, the ICT community urged the federal government to propel Nigeria into the ranks of the world’s top 20 economies. They view Danbatta’s leadership as a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, innovation, and visionary leadership.
As accolades continue to pour in, Prof. Danbatta’s transformative leadership in Nigeria’s telecom sector serves as an inspiring example of how visionary leadership can drive growth, innovation, and prosperity in the nation’s economy.
Chike concluded, “His legacy will undoubtedly be remembered as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.”
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