Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has revealed that Nigeria is ranked 109th globally and 11th in Africa in terms of technology usage, citing the Network Readiness Index (NRI).
He was of the view that the 109th rating is not good for Nigeria which has 82 per cent of the mobile network subscribers base in Africa.
Danbatta disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the Forum on Emerging Technologies organised by NCC in Abuja with the theme ‘Contextualising the Network Readiness Index (NRI) for the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry’.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC who was represented by the Head, Spectrum Database Management, NCC, Abraham Oshadami, said the global data collected by the NRI team revealed digital transformation was global imperative in order to maximise social and economic effects of the digital era.
He said the NIR explores the performances of 131 economies in four categories, which include technology (infrastructure), governance, people and impact.
“Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82 per cent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 per cent of the continent’s internet consumption.
“Our nation ranks eleventh globally in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage.
“The global data collected by the NRI team reveals that digital transformation is a global imperative in order to maximise the social and economic effects of the digital era.
“Despite these remarkable metrics, the fact that our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 is 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging,” he said.
Danbatta said as agents of social and economic transformation in the nation, prioritising network readiness was not only a strategic necessity but a mandate.
“It can create new inequalities which can hinder the ability of younger generations to engage in the digital economy, but also remains a powerful way to do more with less at all levels of income.
“Formal education is evolving, and metrics are important to support informed policymaking.
“This requires reskilling and upskilling opportunities to be available, accessible, and affordable in order to have more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies.
“The NRI is a guiding metric that measures the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“To navigate this era of transformation, we must embrace innovation, make strategic investments, and cultivate a growth-friendly ecosystem,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to grab this opportunity to investigate emerging technologies, envisage their potential applications, and determine how they can leverage to solve specific challenges.
“This platform is our gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions that can positively transform our industry.
“By engaging in conversations about new technologies, collaborating with global best practices and subject-matter experts, and pooling our insights, we open the door to unimaginable future possibilities,” Danbatta said.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Bashir Galadinchi, wondered why Nigeria is rated so low by the NRI report despite the huge success it has recorded in the sector, and advised both government and the NCC to do more.
Head, New Media and Information Security, NCC, Dr. Chidi Diugwu, in his opening remarks urged stakeholders to embrace insights offered by NRI to guide policies, investments and collaborations.
Diugwu said this would lead to harnessing the potential of emerging technologies, investing in human capital and fostering innovation that would unlock new opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and create a prosperous and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.
“As we move forward, let us embrace the insights offered by the NRI to guide our policies, investments, and collaborations to enable us harness the potential of emerging technologies.
“Investing in human capital and fostering innovation that will unlock new opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and create a prosperous and inclusive digital future for Nigeria,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive-Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maske, said NRI was a strong indicator of how the country was adapting to the digital transformation happening all over the world.
He stated that the NRI is a strong indicator that will help us assess our progress and position on the global digital train.
