The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) says telecoms investment inflow grew from $38 billion to $77 billion by the second quarter of 2023.

The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the disclosure at a media parley in Kano on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Danbatta revealed that the NCC contributed 16 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within the period under review.

He said the statistics by the NCC was based on the computation by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NCC boss said: “From about eight per cent contribution to GDP in 2015, when I came on board as the EVC of NCC, quarterly GDP has increased significantly to reach its current threshold of 16 per cent.

“And this has continued to positively impact all aspects of the economy.”

Danbatta, however, attributed the success to “thorough sustained regulatory excellence and operational efficiency by the Commission”, adding that the industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades.

READ ALSO: Danbatta lauds Swedish govt, Ericsson for partnership with NCC

“We have witnessed explosive growth, improved regulatory standard, digital innovation that have generated global recognition,” he added.

He stated that telephone users in Nigeria has increased to 218.9 million, internet subscribers 159.5 million, while broadband users in the country now are 88.7 million within the period under review.

Danbatta listed issue of Right of Way (RoW), fibre cuts, high capital requirement for deployment, multiple taxations, and regulations, among other frustrations, constituting barriers to broadband deployment in the country.

The NCC EVC, however, assured that the commission would “navigate regulatory complexities, digital divide and literacy to tackle the challenges”.

He said the commission would also establish an emergency communication centre in each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Danbatta said establishing the centres was necessary to bridge the gap between distressed and emergency response agencies in the country.

He explained that the commission increased the amount of research grants being given to universities from N20 million to N30 million, adding that three universities have so far benefitted from the new grant.

Danbatta listed other major challenges confronting the NCC to include wilful destruction of its facilities and the number of taxes imposed on telecommunication companies.

“The challenges being faced by the commission include 41 categories of taxes imposed on telecommunications companies and wilful destruction of our facilities,” he added.

The NCC, however, said the commission would continue to engage stakeholders in the media industry in order to keep members of the public abreast of its activities.

The Star