The Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) unveiled that Nigeria has secured the eleventh spot in global Internet penetration and the seventh position in mobile phone usage. This revelation was made by Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, during the inaugural session of the Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry in Abuja.
The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, shared these statistics through Abraham Oshadami, the Head of Spectrum Database Management at NCC. Danbatta emphasized that the data collected worldwide by the Network Readiness Index (NRI) team highlights the imperative need for global digital transformation to optimize the profound socio-economic impacts of the digital era.
Nigeria’s remarkable presence as a telecommunications powerhouse is evident, accounting for a substantial 82% of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29% of the continent’s internet consumption. Notably, Nigeria has earned the 11th position globally for Internet penetration and the 7th position for mobile phone usage.
Elaborating on the NRI’s findings, Danbatta stated, “The NRI team’s global data shows that digital transformation is a global imperative for maximizing the social and economic effects of the digital era. Despite these remarkable metrics, our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 of 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging.”
Danbatta underlined that prioritizing network preparedness is not just a strategic necessity but a mission as it influences social and economic development within the country. While acknowledging the potential for new inequalities arising from rapid digital transformation, Danbatta also noted the significant potential for leveraging technology to do more with less across all income levels.
“Formal education is evolving, and metrics are important to support informed policy making,” Danbatta added, emphasizing the critical role that informed decisions play in shaping the nation’s digital trajectory.
The announcement underscores Nigeria’s growing prominence in the global digital landscape and highlights the ongoing efforts to further enhance the country’s technological capabilities and digital accessibility for all its citizens.
The two-day Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry in Abuja seeks to delve deeper into these trends and challenges, fostering discussions that can contribute to shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
