The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission — Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta — has argued that e-Governance is one of the most pivotal aspects of the Digital Economy. The NCC boss said this at the 2021 e-Government summit held in Lagos on the 29th of September, 2021. The summit was themed “e-Government Adoption in Nigeria: Opportunity and Challenges.”
Prof. Danbatta also said that the Nigerian Communications Commission has been working round-the-clock to enhance broadband infrastructure and services that would ensure that the e-Governance system as well as other aspects of the Digital Economy, experience significant growth and development.
“In connection with this subject, the NCC recently announced our Strategic Vision Plan (SVP 2021-2025), which would allow us to effectively strengthen our ties with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), in a bid to embrace the best practices,” he said.
“Taking advantage of our previous achievements under SVP, we want to remodify the Commission as well as the whole industry to promote the availability of highly dependable infrastructure and to exponentially increase the number of digital platforms which will, in turn, promote digital inclusion in every part of the nation”, he added.
The NCC boss further went on to list eight top achievements by the Commission over time. They include:
1. Securing approval from the Presidency through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy for the introduction of 5G networks in Nigeria.
2. Initiation of the 5G deployment plan for the country’s Digital Economy, after the presidency, had approved the use of 5G networks.
3. The adoption of 26GHz, 38GHz and 42GHz by the NCC, following the recommendations at the World Radio-Communications Conference (WRC-19). Pro. Danbatta said the NCC has started updating the National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAT) to ensure that they follow these recommendations.
4. Partnering with the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to eliminate any impediment on the 700MHz and 2.6GHz bands
5. Approving the Proof-of-Concept (PoC) to MTN as well Non-commercial trial in the 3.5 and 26GHz bands. The commission is also working with Airtel to complete another trial.
6. Using the Spectrum Trading Guidelines to allow telecommunications service operators to transfer, give out or share spectrum resources.
7. Recently concluding the creation of Guidelines on TV White Space to enable broadband deployment across the country.
8. Creation of a Satellite Unit that meets the Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department. The satellite unit, according to the boss, will be used to regulate the activities of satellite operators in the country.
