Active telecom subscribers hit 212 million

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta, yesterday, announced that active telecom subscribers in Nigeria grew from 400,000 in year 2000 to 212.2 million as of today.

According to him the growth represented a tele density of 111 per cent, while basic internet subscriptions grew from zero to 152.7 million within the period.

Danbatta also said broadband subscriptions grew to 86 million, representing 45.09 per cent penetration as of July this year.

The NCC boss made the remarks while presenting a virtual keynote address to members of the International Conference of Association of Media and Communication Researchers in Nigeria, (AMCRON).

He attributed the development of the telecommunications industry in the past few years to visionary leadership and commitment by key stakeholders.

Danbatta, represented by Ismail Adedigba, NCC’s Director of Research and Development, spoke on the topic: Influence of Communication Policies on Digital Revolution in Nigeria.

He said the industry has attracted over $70 billion investments, while the Information and Communications Technology sector contributed 18.9 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the second quarter of 2022.

Danbatta further noted that the sector has continued to create direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians, and stressed the significance of digital revolution in the country.

Danbatta, who highlighted various means by which a more revolutionary turn around would take place in the industry, said the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has laid the foundation for such turn around with outstanding policies.

Danbatta said “I would like to emphasize that the influence of telecommunications/communications policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks on Nigeria’s digital revolution has been phenomenal and at NCC, we will continue to do our best in the discharge of the Commission’s mandate, especially in facilitating broadband deployment, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and building our national development in line with the National Digital Economy Agenda.”

“Also, the NCC will continue to strengthen collaboration with the media and mass communication scholars such as AMCRON towards creating an environment where stakeholders can leverage digital infrastructure and technology such as the Fifth Generation (5G) network.

“It is because of the promise of 5G for improved connectivity, better quality of life for individuals, enhanced efficiency for businesses, and quantifiable growth in the economy that the NCC continued to drive the implementation of the 5G policy in Nigeria”.