NCC Reassures 25million Digitally Excluded Nigerians as Access Gap Clusters Reduces to 114

The Nigerian Telecommunications Regulator has pledged commitment to connect 25 million digitally excluded Nigerians  to telecom services as the access gap clusters reduces to 114.

Speaking with media chiefs and news editor, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta said the commission remains committed to addressing the remaining access gap clusters, even though they are areas outside the frontier of economic viability to ensure the remaining 25 million Nigerians have access.

Addressing the forum, Danbatta, who was recently reappointed for another five years in office following the expiration of his first term in August 2015, eloquently enunciated his major policy initiatives that have produced record broadband penetration and enhanced the growth in the telecoms sector, especially in the contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Danbatta said that on assumption of office in 2015, the Commission gave priority to Quality of Service and observed that two prominent factors identified as “technical” and “non-technical” were impacting its delivery.

Speaking on this, he noted that when he came on board five years ago, 217 access gap clusters were identified in the country affecting 40 million Nigerians without access to telecoms services.

“But today, we have reduced the access gap clusters to 114 with 15 million of the 40 million digitally excluded Nigerians now having access to telecoms services. We are committed to addressing the remaining access gap clusters, which are areas outside the frontier of economic viability to ensure the remaining 25 million Nigerians have access,” he said.

To underscore the importance of the sector to the economy, in June 2020, the Federal Government designated telecoms facilities as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and all security agencies have since been notified of Mr. President’s directive to that effect, the EVC stated.

Danbatta also said that to the commission, the consumer is king, hence NCC consumer-centric regulatory initiatives has ensure consumer protection, information and education have continued to top the commissions agenda.

Danbatta lauded the role of the media in the reportage of the telecom sector over the years and urged the practitioners to continue to be objective and constructive in their coverage of the activities of the Commission and that of its licensees.