Ban on SIM card imports created businesses in excess of N55bn for local manufacturers, says Danbatta

 

VICTORIA ISLAND, Lagos – The ban on imports of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards has created businesses in excess of N55 billion for local manufacturers, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta has said.

Danbatta, who was delivering his welcome address at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content EXPO (NTICE 2023) said the ban created direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria.

Danbatta said Nigeria’s Telecoms Sector is amongst the biggest contributors to socio-economic growth of the country, as evidenced by the numerous achievements of the sector.
“It is not out of place to mention that the sector’s performance was instrumental to lifting Nigeria out of recession with 12.45% contribution to the GDP in Q4 2020. This figure increased to 14.13% as at Q1 2023.

“The Sector is also home to two (2) of the most valuable listed companies in Nigeria with a collective market capitalization in excess of N10.45 trillion”, the EVC said.
In 2021 and 2022, the commission generated revenue in excess of USD$820m from the auction and grant of 3.5GHz Spectrum band licences to three operators to boost the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) services in Nigeria.

Danbatta said this development placed Nigeria on the global 5G map ahead of many countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“It is also important to note that while Quality of Service and Quality of Experience in telecommunications services in Nigeria have continued to improve, tariffs have remained stable notwithstanding the increase in cost-of-service provision to the telecom operators.

“In order to sustain and further improve Quality of Service and Quality of Experience in telecommunications services in Nigeria, we must embrace indigenous content and value creation within the telecoms value chain, otherwise, increase in telecoms tariff will be inevitable”, he said.

According to him, the Commission is fully committed to the drive of the Federal Government to place the Nigerian Economy on a sustainable pedestal through all the necessary policies put in place.

Speaking on the compelling theme, “Harnessing Indigenous Content for Economic Growth; Networking to Boost Investment, Team Lead Nigeria Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS), Engr. Babagana Digima said the expo is not just a congregation of like-minded individuals but a nexus of innovation and creativity.

“It’s a platform where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are forged, and collaborations are born. It’s a space where the synergy of diverse minds transforms into actionable strategies that will propel us towards new horizons of economic growth and sustainable development.
“We will explore how indigenous content can be a catalyst for economic growth, how networking can foster investment, and how the intersection of technology and culture can lead us to the forefront of global innovation”, he said.

Speaking on bridging Skills Gap  to accelerate the indigenous telecoms sector development, the convener, Mr. Omobayo Azeez said over the years the Nigerian Telecoms sector has grown in leaps and bounds, adding that sector has attracted over USD 75.6 billion, contributing 15% to Nigeria’s GDP.

He said operators in the sector are willing to employ more hands but that prospective employees lack the required knowledge and skills set.

He identified the following as skills set in demand, IP Networking Skills, Bespoke Software Development, Automation Skills, Fibre Optic Engineers, Network Security, Cloud Computing, Hardware Engineering, Very Small Aperture Terminal Skills, VSAT, Network Devices Operations Skills, routers, switches, gateways, firewalls, load-balancers, wireless terminals, Software Defined-Wide Area Network, SD-WAN, structured cabling standard skills and Radio Access Engineering among others.