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Tag: Umar Danbatta

  • NCC accelerates broadband penetration to business owners

    NCC accelerates broadband penetration to business owners

    The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to continually drive initiatives that accelerate broadband deployment to increase penetration and make internet connection readily available to telecom consumers.

    The EVC stated this at the 10th edition of Business 360 Clinics organised by Abuja Enterprises Agency (AEA) in Abuja.

    Speaking on the theme of the event, “Technology Utilization and Innovation: Effects on SME Profitability and Productivity” in the context of the regulatory activities of the Commission, the EVC, who was represented by Assistant Director, Digital Economy, NCC Paul Okeke, noted that NCC has been at the heart of providing the digital drive for transforming businesses and sustaining socio-economic activities in Nigeria.

    During the panel session titled “Technology Adoption: A must for MSMEs Sustainability and Competitiveness (Challenges and Ease of Use),” Okeke highlighted the Commission’s commitment towards technological and digital transformation in a manner that makes entrepreneurship seamless.

    While addressing the issue of challenges on digital literacy, Okeke informed the audience that the Commission has strategic partnerships with various organizations including Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) which birthed initiatives such as Digital Economy Academy where business owners learn about security risks and online threats in a 12-course programme for 3 months.

    Okeke charged entrepreneurs to leverage technology to harness the benefits of these initiatives to sustain their businesses.

    “As a regulator of Telecommunication, the Commission is in active collaboration with other agencies in the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy,  as well as with other public sector institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to ensure that policies become effective in curtailing cyber-attacks and threats on businesses,” Okeke stated.

    The participants and business owners also seized the opportunity of the platform to make complaints and resolve their business-related challenges while adopting technology for their various businesses during the interactive session. Representatives of relevant agencies at the event also seized the opportunity to attend to enquiries from participants who are running businesses and those who are aspiring entrepreneurs.

  • BREAKING: NCC announces 2023 presidential election hotline

    BREAKING: NCC announces 2023 presidential election hotline

    In view of the importance attached to the upcoming presidential election, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has dedicated it’s Consumer Toll-Free Number 622 to serve as the 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline.

    The Commission said this is to enable voters and members of the public across Nigeria to report any issues that may affect them, or others, during the elections on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

    This step is to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its patriotic commitment, towards the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria.

    “The Toll-Free Number 622 is the second-level complaints centre through which consumers of telecommunications services are allowed to make calls directly to the Commission, to resolve issues concerning their telecommunications services which the service providers are unable to do.

    “However, in consideration of the critical nature of this election and to alleviate emergent issues that may arise at the voting centres, or any parts of Nigeria thereof, the Commission has considered it expedient to dedicate the Toll-Free Number 622 to accommodate all types of complaints on election day.

    “This is with a view to resolving such issues by contacting and conveying such to relevant agencies, authorities, or organisations for timely resolution,” a statement by NCC reads.

    TNG reports the 622 Election Incident Monitoring Centre will be manned by top Management officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

    According to the statement personally signed by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, the hotline will be open to the public from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    “Members of the public are, therefore, invited to take advantage of the Election Incident Monitoring Centre Hotline, 622,” the statement added.

  • NCC rejigs for operational efficiency, senior staff redeployed

    NCC rejigs for operational efficiency, senior staff redeployed

    Two directors of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Alhassan Haru and Mr. Efosa Idehen have been respectively redeployed to man the Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI), and the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) departments of the Commission.

    According to a statement released by Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, this is in a move to further enhance operational efficiency and sustain regulatory excellence.

    In an exercise approved by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, other senior staff of NCC were moved to head critical departments, following the recent retirement of some directors, who reached 60 years of age.

    Dr. Haru, hitherto Director, New Media and Information Security (NMIS), takes over from retiring director Engr Bako Wakil at the TSNI department, which oversees the maintenance of international standards and integrity of the national network, including quality of service (QoS) and equipment type approval.

    Idehen, who was once the director at CME, returns to a familiar turf where he was nicknamed ‘Efosa, the Enforcer’ after a stint at the Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB). He takes over from Mr. Ephraim Nwokonneya, who has also commenced his retirement leave. The CME department monitors the industry and enforces compliance with industry rules of engagement.

    At the Projects Department of the Commission, from where Mrs. Iyabo Sholanke retired, Mr. Philip Eretan, Deputy Director, was appointed Head, while Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo, another deputy director, took over as head, Corporate Planning Strategy and Risk Management, (CPSRM),  a  position left by erstwhile director, Mr. Felix Adeoye.

    Dr. Chidi Diugwu, deputy director at NMIS, took over from Haru as head of the department. Mrs. Safiya Jijji has assumed duty as Ag. Head, Zonal Operations, following the retirement of the erstwhile director, Mrs. Amina Shehu.

    Another deputy director, Banji Ojo, takes over from Idehen as Head, CAB.

    NCC boss, in the redeployment, charged the new appointees to work in tandem with the Commission’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 and NCC’s Strategic Vision Implementation Plan (SVP) 2020-2025.

    The EVC further assured industry stakeholders of the Commission’s determination to provide essential regulatory supports to consolidate on the growth already recorded in the industry.

    According to him, the NCC will continue to put round pegs in round holes to sustain its operational efficiency and regulatory excellence.

  • Nairaxi wins NCC’s young innovators’ competition

    Nairaxi wins NCC’s young innovators’ competition

    Mobile ridesharing app that enables users to request taxi and bus rides known as Nairaxi has emerged as the overall winner of the young innovators’ competition organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the young innovators’ competition was held at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos recently.

    Nairaxi, which won the coveted prize of N2 million, according to the app developers, enhances rideshare and safe delivery of packages.

    The company is made up of Kingsley Eze, Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer and Elizabeth Omale, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer.

    They pitched their app to an audience made up of top officials of NCC led by the Director of Research and Development, Mr. Ismaila Adedigba who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

    Meanwhile, Floews, established by Bashir Abubakar as Founder and Chief Executive Officer, came second and won a prize of N1.5 million.

    Thronix Lab, comprising three young tech-savvy Nigerians, clinched the 3rd position with a prize of N1 million.

    TNG reports all the contestants were adjudged on the criteria of originality, innovativeness, simplicity of usage and commercialization potential of their IT products, among others.

    Floews developed novel and deep-tech all-round solution that monitors and forecasts flood and thereby, disseminates the forecast as an early-warning intelligence.

    Thronix Lab developed Proxie, an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart socket and Wi-Fi hotspot range extender, which enables users to switch on/off their appliances connected to it remotely through their phones.

    Prof Mohammed Ajiya, who chaired the panel of judges for the competition, commended the Commission for providing the opportunity for young Nigerians to achieve their dreams of leveraging digital solutions to address local challenges in Nigeria.

    Speaking on behalf of the EVC, Adedigba commended all the 15 contestants that participated, and the panel of judges for the “commendable diligence, thorough and painstaking evaluation carried out by his team of independent judges, leading to the emergence of the three winners”.

    He assured of the Commission’s commitment to continue to drive the Federal Government agenda of promoting indigenous ICT solutions development towards strengthening the Nigerian digital ecosystem.

    “It is important to note that this competition is not the end, but rather the beginning of our collective journey towards bridging the digital divide in Nigeria.

    “We must continue to support and invest in local, indigenous digital solutions to ensure that all citizens have access to the technology and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s digital age,” Danbatta said.

    Ten innovators from the 15 proceeded to the Pitching Stage, for having developed the best technology solutions, amenable to commercialization and capable of solving identified challenges both locally and beyond in a move to bridge the country’s existing digital divide.

    The 15 contestants at the event are Curnance PTY, Floews, Lalita by 02 Innovations Lab, Brilliant ESystems, Afrits Innovation, CitiFlow, Natal Cares, Nairaxi, Rate AM, Fixbot Technologies, Betalife, Cyber Plural, TronixLab, Ntapi Inc., and Bycep by Bedoun.

  • NCC urges CSOs to safeguard telecoms infrastructure in Nigeria

    NCC urges CSOs to safeguard telecoms infrastructure in Nigeria

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for the support of Civil Society Organisations to help safeguard telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

    The Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta said this during the 2023 Youth, Civil Society and Stakeholders Summit on Curbing the Destruction and Vandalisation of Telecom and other Critical National Infrastructure in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

    Danbatta, represented by Mr . Chukuma Nwaiwu, Head, Wireless Network, NCC, said the Commission receive reports of telecom infrastructure vandalisation from the telecom companies.

    He said these acts impact on the delivered quality of services and the availability of the digital platforms.

    According to him, some of the impacts includ:”Disruption of the network services and disconnection of digital platforms.

    “Congestion of alternative backup routes/networks. Interruption of social and economy activities, loss of revenue.

    “Ripple effects on other networks and network elements. Delay in network recovery.”

    On the upcoming general elections, Danbatta, said that technology would play a crucial and key role in delivering free and fair elections to Nigerians.

    He said that NCC was collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that election results were transmittecd electronically as required by law.

    Danbatta said: “We all have a duty to protect the national telecom infrastructure as such to benefit from the dividends of democracy and good governance.

    “The youth and CSOs as  critical stakeholders in the development process of any society have  dutest o educate the public of the importance of protecting telecom infrastructure located in their immediate vicinity.

    “The NCC and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are collaborating to protect telecom infrastructure as a critical national asset and have signed an MoU n this regard.”

    He called on Nierians to join hands in protecting the national telecom infrastructure for the benefit of all.

    The Deputy President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Musa Mohammed, said vandalising critically national infrastructure can only come from insensitivity, indiscipline and unpatriotic individuals.

    Mohammed said these individuals do not see the good intentions of the government towards making necessary provisions for the country.

    He urged CSOs to put all hands on the deck to work with security agencies to ensure that the vandals were reported and prosecuted accordingly.

    “Willful damage of roads, rail tracks and other critical infrastructure in our country is not only an act of wickedness, but an act of disregard for the country’s infrastructure.

    “We must all rise to fight against vandalism of national infrastructure because the damaging effects does not only affect an individual but all of us,” he urged.

    Earlier, the Director-General of National Council for Civil Society (NCCS) Mr Johnny Emmanuel, said the role of civil society in infrastructural development should not be undermined.

    Emmanuel said that the NCCS intended to train over 20,000 youth in each state to become volunteers to  access and monitor the state of vandalism across the country by working with security agencies.

    He urged the government, especially the national assembly to put it into law by enacting a bill of National Infrastructure Protection Trust Fund.

    “As law abiding citizens, it is our responsibility to telecom, power and other critical infrastructure within our environment and take ownership of it.

    “If you partner with the civil society, we will be able to create what we call civil society anti-vandal volunteers.

    “We intend to train over 20,000 youth in each state to become volunteers,” Emmanuel said.

  • NCC Boss, Danbatta bags Regulator of the Year Award

    NCC Boss, Danbatta bags Regulator of the Year Award

    The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, was at the weekend in Lagos, decorated with the 2022 Regulator of the Year Award at the prestigious 11th Edition of the Vanguard Personality of the Year Award where men and women who have distinguished themselves as achievers of excellence in their various fields of endeavours were honoured.

    The award was conferred on Danbatta in recognition of the EVC’s effective regulatory achievements through cutting-edge initiatives, especially during his first five years in office during which Nigeria’s telecom sector has shown spectacular landmarks, at a glamorous ceremony at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday.

    According to organizers of the event, his initiatives strengthened the role of the telecommunications sector as a major contributor to the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as telecoms investment inflows from $36 billion in 2015 to over $70 billion.

    Danbatta also spearheaded a campaign to improve Nigeria’s broadband penetration from the paltry five percent at the time of his appointment to about 30% in 2018. The EVC is currently among those leading the charge for the realisation of the new national broadband penetration target of 70 percent by 2025 since his reappointment in office in 2020.

    While presenting the award, Chief Abiola Dosunmu, the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, said Danbatta was eminently qualified and deserving of the distinct recognition conferred upon him.

    Other eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in professional excellence and service to humanity in the private and public sectors were conferred with various categories of awards at the event including the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote who won the Personality of the Year Award.

    Other awardees include the Kwara State Governor, Abdulraham Abdulrazaq and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde who were present and decorated and the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello Koko who won the Public Sector Icon of the Year.

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro while Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem.

    Distinguished guests at the event were the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande; the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management of the NCC, Adeleke Adewolu; some other members of the Board as well as Management and Staff of the Commission.

  • FG tightens grip against lottery, gaming platforms

    FG tightens grip against lottery, gaming platforms

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

    The NCC said this was with provisions to deter unapproved lottery and gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing.

    NCC’s Director Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said that the MoU, which would impact the gaming industry, was in synchronisation with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP).

    Danbatta said it was in a bid to promote fair practices in the industry for the protection of telecommunication consumers in relation to lottery and gaming activities.

    He said the collaboration was in line with the provisions of Commission’s SVP, 2021-2025, which would provide for facilitation of strategic partnership and collaboration with other bodies to enhance service delivery.

    “The initial MoU expired in 2022, amendments and modifications have been made since no MoU is cast in stone, especially given the industry’s dynamic nature,” he said.

    The Director-General of NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, expressed optimism that the MoU would yield favourable outcomes in curbing illegal online gambling.

    Gbajabiamila was also optimistic that NCC and NLRC would achieve their intentions in the interest of gaming stakeholders.

    He decried how unapproved lottery, gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of the stakeholders.

    The D-G said this was in addition to undermining consumer confidence in the markets, hence the collaboration with the Commission to arrest such tendencies.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu said that the MoU was designed to address recent technology information-sharing capabilities, consumer satisfaction.

    Adewolu said that it was also to enhance areas of co-regulation in line with the digital economy mandate.

    He said: “The new MoU replaces the one that was first signed by both organizations, which expired in 2022.

    “It provides complementary approaches to deter unapproved lottery practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing.

    “This is in recognition of how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets.

    “Under the agreement, following requests from NLRC, NCC shall endeavour to block or disable illegal lottery gaming operators on the telecommunications service providers’ platform in Nigeria and NLRC

    “The document is developed by a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) comprising representatives of NCC and NLRC to implement the MoU and other matters that promote collaboration between both organisations in their regulatory functions.”

  • NCC seeks identification, elimination of risks in telecom sector

    NCC seeks identification, elimination of risks in telecom sector

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has embarked on a regulatory step to sensitize the industry about the need for proper and continuous risk identification with the view to managing such risks before they affect the health of the industry.

    To this effect, the Commission has hosted a two-day maiden conference at its headquarters in Abuja, where its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said it has become imperative to minimize risks in the industry to ensure that services are not disrupted, and that consumers obtain the best services that are globally available.

    The conference with the theme: “Nigerian Telecommunications Industry: Managing the Emerging Risks and Embracing Risk Opportunities,” called for collaboration between the regulator and other stakeholders in the industry, to achieve multi-stakeholder strategies aimed at identifying and addressing emerging risks in the telecommunications sector to ensure sustainable and impacting growth.

    Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Yetunde Akinloye, who stood for the EVC, said the essence of the forum was to examine myriads of issues that challenge the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, and to enhance the development of a sustainable ICT sector in Nigeria.

    “The focus of this conference is to bring to the fore the ever-rising uncertainties in the global economy and the attendant regulatory/operational risks in the areas of increased data security regulations, new partnerships and transforming business models, fast-changing mix of mounting capital expenditure (CAPEX) burdens, shifting market structures, newly emerging disruption scenarios, regulatory and policy challenges amongst others,” Danbatta said.

    The EVC told participants at the event, which also featured virtual participation, that the Commission has been at the forefront of ensuring that the telecoms industry is not adversely impacted by these uncertainties/risks. He stated that one of our Strategic Visions is to ensure a competitive market for the communications services that foster fair inclusion of all players, promote local content and innovative services in ways that facilitate new investment, job creation and consumer satisfaction.

    Danbatta said the NDEPS is the guiding document for the Federal Government’s activities to maximise the immense opportunities that are inherent in digital technologies to nudge the diversification of Nigeria’s economy and attain the key national objectives of improving security, reducing corruption, and expanding the economy.

    “While risk management has been critical in our regulatory service delivery, we acknowledge that all stakeholders must be concerned about the varied uncertainties that confront the Industry. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Information and Communication Technologies Sector is inherently filled with several business and technology risks,” Danbatta said.

    “It is, therefore, important that regulatory risks be minimised to ensure that services are not disrupted, and consumers obtain the best and latest services that are globally available. The Commission in a bid to ensure that operators in the industry enjoy a conducive operating environment has had cause to seek government interventions and collaborate with other Agencies of Government in addressing major sectoral risks.

    “These risks include cybersecurity and online fraud, regulatory burden, multiple taxation, vandalism of telecommunication infrastructure, right of way challenges, access to foreign exchange, inter-industry indebtedness, among others,” he said.

    In his paper presentation titled ‘X-raying Telecommunications Risk Radar: The Operators’ Perspective’, a facilitator at the event, who spoke to issues of concern to operators, Eniola Olugboyega, said that risk-taking can have positive or negative impact on businesses. He also stated that most common losses from improper management of risk in the sector include customer dissatisfaction, fines and litigation, product failure, and loss of business opportunities, among others.

    According to him, effective risk management aids effective decision making, prevents financial and reputational loss and addresses potential threats. Thus, telecommunication risk from the operators’ perspective includes regulatory risk, insecurity, data breach risk, foreign exchange risk, rising CAPEX risk, human resource risk, and the inability to take advantage of new business models.

  • Mobile subscribers hit 210 million in Nigeria

    Mobile subscribers hit 210 million in Nigeria

    The  Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said no fewer than 210 million Nigerians had been active mobile subscribers in Nigeria as of August with a teledensity of 109.99 per cent.

    The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta stated this on Monday at the NCC Day at the 43rd Kano International Trade Fair.

    Danbatta represented by the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs of the commission, Mr Banji Ojo, said that Internet subscribers in the country had exceeded 152.2 million with a broadband penetration of 44.56 per cent.

    According to him, “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not the only fastest growing industry but it is also an important enabler of innovation and development.

    “The telecommunication sector is a strategic driver of the digital economy especially in the activities of small and medium enterprises across Nigeria and beyond.”

    He said that the commission had embarked on digital literacy training for entrepreneurs across the six-geopolitical zones of the country.

    He said that the aim was to equip small-scale business owners with the requisite skills and generate ideas for the development of products and services that could be exported.

    Also in a remark, the Interim Chairman of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Alhaji Ahmed Aminu, commended the NCC for promoting the telecommunication industry.

    Aminu said that the 43rd Kano Trade fair was organised to enhance commerce and industry and also to showcase the talents and products of SMEs, with the aim of boosting the economy.

    At the event, 10 participants won brand new android mobile phones during a raffle draw organised by the commission.

  • NCC seeks judiciary’s interest in ICT trends

    NCC seeks judiciary’s interest in ICT trends

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is seeking the nation’s judiciary to be part of Information Communications Technology (ICT) trends, whose impact has now affected ways that justice is delivered across the world.

    The leadership of the Commission made the call during a workshop organized for Nigerian judges which started in Lagos on Tuesday with the theme: “The digital world and the future of adjudication,” with judges from the federal and state high courts, and appeal courts in attendance.

    Speaking at the 18th annual capacity-building workshop, the Chairman, NCC Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande, urged the legal luminaries to make greater contributions towards Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development in Nigeria.

    While stating the centrality of a functional adjudicatory system as a bedrock for any civilised society, Akande said there was the need to constantly equip judicial officers with the requisite skills for effectual adjudication, especially in the digitized world, where the rate if technology development t is fast ahead of laws.

    Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in his address, said the Internet comes with several challenges, hence the need for judges to be exposed to the benefits as well as the challenges associated with new technologies.

    The EVC said through the workshop, judges will be exposed to disruptive technologies, the rights of data subjects, and jurisdictional issues in the digital age, which have continued to make the ICT industry a dynamic one.

    “The increased reliance on telecommunications, as well as the growth experienced in the sector, has introduced some issues of legal connotation which will be deliberated upon by various experts during this workshop. One of such issues is the ownership of online content and materials.

    “So, it is envisaged that with the increase in the amount of online content, as well as the economic value attached to it, there will be a rise in conflicts as to ownership of online content and materials.

    “It is necessary that your lordships are well prepared for the imminent increase in litigation in this area. Furthermore, with an increase in the number of transactions and businesses taking place in the online space, it is also expedient for your lordships to be exposed to the peculiarities of adjudicating conflicts in this era of digital presence and online identity,” he said.

    He stated that the Commission conceived the idea of the forum, as part of its strategic partnership and collaboration, as a forum to further build the capacity of the distinguished judges with practical insights on these emerging issues in the field of telecommunications.

    “Hopefully, this workshop will illuminate these challenges and proffer ways to meet the dynamics of the changing times. I, therefore, enjoin you to freely make contributions and raise issues that would assist the commission in coming up with adequate regulatory measures that would enhance development in the communications sector of the economy.  We assure you that every view expressed would be respected and considered in this regard,” he said.

    On his part, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, commended the Commission for the annual forum while assuring the telecom regulatory of the commitment of the judiciary to using technology for justice dispensation as well as support a more robust legal ecosystem for sustaining socio-economic growth of Nigeria through telecoms sector.

    Represented by Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Ariwoola said, through the use of ICT, the judiciary has improved, not just in judicial administration and services, but also in infrastructural development.

    Ariwoola said regardless of the benefits of digitalisation there are bound to be liabilities and risks involved with its introduction and usage as she highlighted such risks to include Cyber Crime, data piracy, and hacking among several other vices.

    “Our judicial system has been challenged with delays in dispensing justice. However, with the introduction of ICT into the judicial space, many of the difficulties associated with the conventional methods are gradually being dispensed with,” he said.

    The Chief Justice said the path to effective and efficient justice delivery in Nigeria lies in the collective ability to continuously improve the nation’s justice sector with the use of ICT tools. “The Nigerian judiciary is committed to achieving lasting structural and ethical reforms that would reposition it to adequately meet the aspirations of court users and the public for the reliable, effective and efficient administration of justice through the use of ICT,” he said.