A stakeholder group in the ICT sector has commended Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, for his remarkable leadership and unprecedented achievements in the telecoms sector.
The commendation by the group, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), is contained in a statement by its national chairman, Chike Onwuegbuchi.
According to the group, the telecoms sector, under Danbatta’s visionary leadership, has witnessed an astounding transformation, transcending previous limitations and emerging as a beacon of progress.
The group stated that his eight-year tenure as the NCC EVC has seen the telecoms sector attract a staggering $77 billion in investments, catapulting it to the forefront of the nation’s economic landscape.
The ICT group lauded Danbatta for overseeing a sector that now contributes a substantial 16 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a notable increase from its eight per cent contribution in 2015.
The financial impact of the telecoms sector, the group stated, is undeniable.
This, NITRA added, is with a recent report 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, representing 14.13 per cent.
The NITRA national chairman stated that one of the key achievements of the ICT community was Danbatta’s bold move to embrace 5G technology.
He added that the achievement of the NCC EVC has positioned Nigeria as an early adopter in the global digital economy.
He said the strategic decision resulted in the generation of $820.8 million for the Federal Government from 5G spectrum license fees paid by leading operators.
“Furthermore, 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,” Onwuegbuchi added.
The ICT group also emphasised the remarkable growth in telephone users, internet subscribers, and broadband users under Danbatta’s stewardship.
This, it stated, has soared to 218.9 million, 159.5 million, and 88.7 million, respectively, noting that the figures, along with the creation of numerous jobs, have underscored the telecoms sector’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic development.
NITRA stated that Danbatta’s unwavering commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence and active stakeholder engagement has set a powerful precedent for success.
It acknowledged the telecoms sector’s resilience in the face of challenges, including infrastructure vandalism, regulatory complexities, and power supply issues.
The ICT community urged the Federal Government to replicate the success in the telecom sector in other sectors to propel Nigeria into the rank of the world’s top 20 economies.
It declared that the Danbatta example is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, innovation, and visionary leadership.
“His legacy will undoubtedly be remembered as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey,” Onwuegbuchi added in the statement.
