The Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) has praised Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for his exceptional leadership and groundbreaking achievements in the country’s telecom sector.
NITRA commends Danbatta for his visionary approach, which has transformed the telecom sector and positioned it as a symbol of progress. Under Danbatta’s leadership, the sector has attracted an impressive $77 billion in investments, making it a significant contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a 16 percent contribution. This represents a remarkable increase from the 8 percent contribution in 2015.
The recent first-quarter report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the telecom sector contributed N2.508 trillion to the nation’s GDP, accounting for 14.13 percent. NITRA also applauds Danbatta for embracing 5G technology, making Nigeria an early adopter and generating $820.8 million in revenue for the federal government through 5G spectrum license fees.
The issuance of a license to SpaceX for Starlinks broadband services has been seen as a game-changer, highlighting Danbatta’s forward-thinking approach. Additionally, the sector has experienced significant growth in telephone users, internet subscribers, and broadband users, reaching 218.9 million, 159.5 million, and 88.7 million respectively, under Danbatta’s leadership.
This growth has also led to job creation, demonstrating the sector’s crucial role in Nigeria’s economic development. Despite challenges such as infrastructure vandalism, regulatory complexities, and power supply issues, Danbatta’s commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence, and stakeholder engagement has set a powerful precedent for success.
The ICT community urges the federal government to replicate the telecom sector’s success in other industries, aiming to position Nigeria among the world’s top 20 economies. Danbatta’s transformative leadership in the telecom sector serves as an inspiring example of how visionary leadership can drive growth, innovation, and prosperity in the Nigerian economy.
