Lagos, April 28, 2024 – Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice President/Chief Executive of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), has called for expansion of fiber optic infrastructure in Nigeria to increase internet coverage and quality.
He made the call at the second edition of West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition in Lagos at the weekend.
The NCC boss, who was represented by Victor Adoga, Head Next Generation Technology and Standards at NCC, said there was the need for improvement of telecom services through adoption of requisite technology.
He said that the with the current 219 million mobile subscriber base and the burgeoning tech savvy population in Nigeria, issues of service disruption, infrastructure deficits and regulatory uncertainties had frustrated development.
Maida also said that there was the need to protect and manage the large amounts of information provided as digital services increase.
“Today, we boast of over 219 million mobile subscribers and a burgeoning tech-savvy population eager to harness digital technologies.
“However, while our growth has been remarkable, it has not been without its challenges.
“Issues such as uneven service distribution, infrastructural deficits, and regulatory uncertainties have occasionally hindered our progress.
“Yet, each challenge also presented a unique opportunity for growth and innovation,” he said.
Maida said that how this path was navigated would determine the role Nigeria played in the global digital landscape.
He also said there was the need for collaboration between government, industry and universities to promote innovation and development.
The EVC said such collaborations could lead to sharing infrastructure models to reduce costs and improve service delivery.
He observed that development of telecoms infrastructure required substantial capital, and advised that public-private partnerships, infrastructure funds, and innovative financing models like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) could be key to meeting financial demands.
“Another thing is to build our infrastructure, and sustainability must be a priority. This includes not only environmental considerations but also building systems that are economically and socially sustainable.
“Integration with AI and machine learning to optimise network management, predict maintenance needs, and enhance customer service through automation and advanced analytics is also necessary,” he said. (GBN)
