The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has said that it is fully committed to the advancement of local content and the overall development of the Nigerian economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida who disclosed this in a speech he delivered at the NCC Special Day during the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna on Tuesday emphasized that the Commission recognized the importance of deepening the local content value chain as a critical driver for economic sustainability and growth.
Maida assured that the NCC remained dedicated to fostering an enabling environment for telecommunications industry, where local content and innovation can thrive as this is one of the most critical thrust of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
He added that the Commission cannot overemphasize the fact that robust local content value chain would not only create economic opportunities but also contribute to technological advancement, job creation, and skills development within the country.
According to him, “In line with our commitment to supporting local content, the NCC has implemented various initiatives to promote indigenous participation in the telecommunications sector. The Nigerian Office for Development of Indigenous Telecommunications Sector, NODITS, a critical unit in our Digital Economy Department and our Research and Development Department, encourages local manufacturing and assembly of telecommunications equipment, promotes local software development, and supports initiatives aimed at enhancing digital skills and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youth.
“The Commission has sponsored a number of Hackathons to encourage and promote Nigerian innovator expanding the frontiers of the Digital Economy. In 2023, three winners emerged in three critical thematic areas of innovations; Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Enhancing Regulatory Compliance; Assistive Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities and Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas.
“Furthermore, the NCC has continued to prioritize consumer protection and empowerment, ensuring that consumers have access to high-quality telecommunications services and are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities. We believe that an empowered consumer base is essential for driving demand and sustaining the growth of the local content value chain.”
The EVC urged all stakeholders, including telecommunications operators, equipment manufacturers, software developers, and consumers, to embrace the ethos of promoting local content insisting that “By working together, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive telecommunications industry that contributes significantly to the Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth.”
He continued, “It may interest you to know that as at Q3 of 2023, the telecoms industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP stood at 13.5% (Source – Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report, November 2023 – A publication of the National Bureau of Statistics).
“Conversely, as we promote economic growth through development of local content, we must also address the challenges faced by consumers and NCC is committed to protecting their rights while ensuring their satisfaction. We therefore encourage businesses and service providers to prioritize customer satisfaction and uphold the highest standards of service delivery.”
He observed that with the Commission’s keen interest and commitment to consumer protection, the NCC had implemented measures to safeguard the interest of consumers and businesses alike. “We have established a robust regulatory framework that promotes transparency, quality of service, and fair competition.
“Additionally, we have set up channels for consumer redress, ensuring that consumers can resolve disputes in a timely and efficient manner. We have also established seamless programs that will Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE Mandate) telecom consumers through various consumer-centric initiatives”, he said.
While expressing the gratitude of the commission to the organizers of the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair for providing this platform for fruitful engagement and collaboration, he implored all participants to take full advantage of the opportunities presented there to deepen their collective commitment to sustaining economic recovery through the promotion of local content in the telecommunications sector.
Photo: Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC.
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