September 7, 2021

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta has listed the benefits of NCC Strategic Vision (Implementation) Plan (SVP) 2021-2025. According to him, the strategic vision would facilitate broadband penetration, improve the quality of service, promote ICT investments, fair competition as well as strategic collaboration and partnerships.

He disclosed this on Tuesday during the joint launch of the Nigeria Communications Commission’s (NCC) Strategic Vision (Implementation) Plan (SVP)  2021-2025, NCC podcast and compendium, which was held at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex in Abuja.

He explained: “To ensure strong commitment to its Implementation, the new SVP also has inbuilt initiatives, key performance indicators developed from inception and activities tied to an implementation responsibility matrix.

“It also incorporates timelines and a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism. It is equally outcome-based and recommendation-driven with follow up actions to guide the commission in operationalizing the plan and assessing its performance over time.”

The EVC also noted that the new SVP, would contain several innovative elements deliberately designed to re-invent and transform the telecom ecosystem within the context of regulation.

He noted that the establishment of podcast channel “NCC Global Connect” is in line with its strategic initiatives to boost the corporate image and visibility of the commission via the adoption of innovative channels of communication to reach out to various stakeholders within and outside the country.

While highlighting the importance of the official compendium that represents a collection of various speeches and presentations made in the past, Prof. Danbatta said it captures the successes and challenges of the Nigerian communication sector.

“The book has been captioned: Catalysing Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Transformation through Broadband Infrastructure, to underscore the centrality of broadband in our journey to a modern digital economy,” he explained.

Prof. Danbatta, however, assured that the commission would continue to live up to its mandate in facilitating broadband deployment which is central to diversifying the Nigeria economy and for national development in line with the National Digital Economy agenda.

Highlights of the event include various presentations by key speakers,  launching of the new Strategic Vision Implementation  Plan (SVP) 2021-2025,  unveiling of the official compendium of Danbatta’s first tenure in office as EVC, as well as launching the new media channel- “NCC Global Connect” and group photographs.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, who headlined the event disclosed that the Federal Government has pledged to provide more enabling environment through strategic national policies and developmental regulations that would enable private sectors to thrive in the country.

The event provided NCC the opportunity of showcasing its strides and relentless endeavors in executing its mandate in terms of regulating the telecom sector.

Prof. Pantami commended the NCC management for the three initiatives, which he said are in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive to strengthen the country’s economy.

The Minister, however, noted that since the private sectors controls the country’s economy with more than 91% of the national aggregate demands, there is a need to support such sector in order for it more effective in the creation of wealth and job opportunities.

The newly promoted professor of cyber security, noted that the performance of the ICT sector in the 2nd quarter of this year by providing 17.90% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria, while appreciating all stakeholders for their efforts so far.

Other dignitaries include the House Committee Chairman on Communication, Prince Akim Adeyemi,  MD/CEO GalaxyBackbone, Prof. M.B Abubakar,   Chairman, NCC Governing Board, ,Professor Adeolu Akande,  Mr. Bitrus Bako, Perm. Sec. Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, among other dignitaries who graced the occasion.