It gives me great pleasure to be in your midst and to address you all at the 2024 National Workshop for Justices and Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute. Over the years, this engagement has contributed to the expansion of the knowledge base of Judicial Officers with regards to emerging issues in the Telecommunications Sector. Doubtless, this positive impact is evident in the enhancement of the skills and capacity of judicial officers who have participated in previous editions of the Workshop.

My Lords, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, in view of recent developments in the sector, I believe the theme of this year’s Workshop which is The Role Of The Judiciary In Accelerating Digital Transformation In Nigeria could not have come at a better time. There is no gainsaying the fact that, the deployment of technology in telecommunications plays a pivotal role in the advancement and enhancement of the economic system of any country and invariably stands as a driving force towards globalization. However, considering the fact that this Workshop primarily seeks to highlight and proffer solutions to legal issues in telecommunications, I will like to quickly bring our attention to two issues which I consider to be pivotal and which revolve around cyber security and the attendant challenges of exploring the digital space.

The first is the increased risk of the personal data of consumers being misused or compromised by unscrupulous persons, thus necessitating the need for improved strategies and innovation for consumer protection in the Telecommunications Sector. Also, worth noting are deficiencies in the Banking Sector and which are attributable to reliance on digital services provided by the Telecommunications Sector. There is for instance the major challenge posed by electronically backed transactions which is common place in the Banking Sector. Concerns in this regard include the spate of customers whose online banking platforms have been hacked, as well as banks being compromised due to technological glitches not factored into their day to day operations. Consequently, these and several other challenges have resulted in a number of disputes which frequently require adjudication.

Ultimately, I am hopeful that this Workshop will avail Participants the opportunity to deliberate on current challenges confronting the Telecommunications Sector and to cross-fertilize ideas on the viable options and strategies to address these issues. It is also my expectation that the forum will equip Judicial Officers with the technical skills required for adjudicating disputes arising from the Sector and keep them abreast with global standards and best practices. Additionally, given the far-reaching impact of technology on every Sector and the urgency of embracing and adopting technological innovations in our various endeavors, I am confident that this engagement will offer insights into the immense benefits of digital transformation to both the Judiciary and indeed the Telecommunications Sector. Lastly and in conformity with the theme, I also believe the specific role of the Judiciary in expediting the said transformation will be spotlighted communicated in a concise manner.

Finally, I must commend the Nigerian Communications Commission for its assiduous efforts at protecting consumers from unfair practices by service providers. I wish to assure you that the Nigerian Judiciary is committed to the development of the Telecommunications Sector and as such, we will continue to ensure coherence in the interpretation of the relevant laws as well as transparency and efficiency in the dispensation of justice. I have no doubt that through our combined efforts, we will be able to secure and bolster the confidence of both investors and stakeholders in the Sector.

My Lords, Distinguished Participants, ladies and gentlemen, at this point, I wish to recognize and appreciate the relentless efforts of the Chairman of the Education Committee of the National Judicial Institute, My Brother, Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, CFR, JSC, in putting together the curriculum and content of the Institute’s programmes.

I must also thank the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, and their team for ensuring the seamless organization of this engagement. Lastly, I wish to appreciate our Moderators, Resource Persons and Discussants who have agreed to share their knowledge and experience with us at this Workshop. I have gone through the programme of events and I find the topics slated for discussions to be both topical and beneficial. I therefore urge you all to pay rapt attention, contribute meaningfully, and utilize this opportunity to update your knowledge in this unique area of the law.

My Lords, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my singular honour to declare open the 2024 National Workshop for Justices and Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications.

I thank you all for listening and I wish you fruitful and rewarding deliberations.

Being excerpts of a keynote delivered by the CJN, and Chairman Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the opening ceremony of the 2024 national workshop for justices and judges on legal issues in telecommunications, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), held in Lagos on 4 November 2024