Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has revealed that the Nigerian government has raised a total of more than NGN500 billion from the telecoms sector in Nigeria. He said this at a press conference where he unveiled his eight-point agenda for the industry.
Addressing an international press conference, he said the NCC will be focusing on facilitation of broadband penetration through provision and optimisation access to and use of affordable fixed and mobile broadband in Nigeria; optimise usage and benefits of spectrum; improve quality of service; promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities; facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders.
Others include protection and empowerment of consumers from unfair practices; he said NCC will also promote fair competition and inclusive growth by creating a competitive market for ICT and lastly, ensure regulatory excellence and operational efficiency through effective regulatory framework.
According to him, while the worth of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is more than $32 billion, the sector’s contributions to government coffers in the last 13 years of Nigeria’s telecoms revolution through the Consolidated Revenue Account is about NGN500 billion. He said the revenue to government coffers were earnings from spectrum sales, taxes and other telecommunications earning activities between 2001 and 2014.
He added that the telecoms sector in Nigeria has created about 2.5 million jobs directly and indirectly and contributed 9.5 per cent to the countries Gross Domestic Product as at December 2014. The sector can also boast of over 150 million subscribers; 98 million Internet users and 108 per cent teledensity mark.
