Report On Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum 2023.

1.0 Preamble 

The 2023 Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum (TERF 2023) was organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Thursday September 7, 2023 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, located at No 3 Lekki-Epe Express Way, Victoria Island, Lagos from 9am to 3pm. The 2023 Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum is an industry programme that brings together, industry players and regulators to address burning industry issues, with a view to proffering solutions to the identified challenges. This year’s forum has the theme: ‘Success Factors and Barriers To National Broadband And Digital Economy Aspirations.’ 

2.0 Objectives 

The objectives of the 2023 Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum are as follows: 

    a. Assess the level of national broadband deployment and penetration

b. Highlight the success factors of national broadband deployment 

c. Identify the barriers to national broadband deployment

d. Identify other challenges inhibiting growth of ICT sector 

e. Proffer solutions to identified sector challenges

f. Articulate the identified challenges

g. Present the articulated challenges in the form of a communique to the appropriate authorities.

3.0 Attendees

The 2023 Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum (TERF 2023) was well attended by a huge number of ATCON members, as well as members of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), including telecom executives and industry regulators like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), among others.

Sn.

Title

First Name

Surname

Organization

1

Mr

Abayomi 

Adebanjo 

Mainone

2

Mr

ABAYOMI 

AKERELE 

EF-SECURE TECHNOLOGIES 

3

Ms

Abimbola 

Falope 

PAN African Towers 

4

Mr.

Abiodun

Sanni

Rack Centre

5

Engr.

Abiodun 

Omoniyi

VDT communications Limited 

6

Mr

Abiola

Agunbiade

Moneymaster pSB

7

Miss

Abolade 

Kosemani

Optiva Capital 

8

Mr

Abubakar

Egbeweli

Techlifewith Ugo

9

Mrs

Ada

Omowonuola 

Tangerine Africa 

10

Mr 

Adedayo

Adekemi

Funtay Gas Company Limited

11

Engr. 

Ademakinwa 

Adetoro 

Baicells Technologies Co Ltd 

12

Mr

Ademorin

Aremu

Funtay Integrated Business Limited

13

Mrs 

Aderonke

Adeyegbe

Comercio limited 

14

Ms.

Aderonke

Adebanjo

ATC Nigeria

15

Mrs

Adesola

Adesugba

OADC 

16

Mr

Adetunji 

Olumogba 

NextGen Telcom 

17

Mr.

Adeyemi 

Adepetun 

The Guardian Newspapers 

18

Mrs

Afure

Iloka

NCC

19

Mr

Ajibola

Olude

ATCON

20

Miss

Amuche 

Ani

Tangerine Africa 

21

Miss 

Anabel

Adagbasa

Fiberone 

22

Miss

Anu

Awojuobi

Raypower fm

23

Mrs

Ashleigh

obielumali

WTES

24

Mr

Austin 

Agili

Emmvic

25

Mr 

Ayo

Adeagbo 

Nigerian Communications Commision 

26

Mr

Ayo

Awe

Orange

27

Dr

Ayotunde 

Coker 

Open Access Data Centres 

28

Mr. 

Bassey 

Daniel 

CBNLA

29

Mr

Benjamin 

Baiyekusi

NETACCESS 

30

Mrs

Blessing 

Chukwudi 

Rapidlink Telekoms Ltd

31

Mrs 

Blossom 

Isika

Airtel

32

Mrs 

Bukola 

Olanrewaju

Business Remarks 

33

Mrs 

Bunmi

Olude

Union Bank of Nigeria 

34

Mr

Chidi

Ajuzie

WTES PROJECTS LTD 

35

Ms

Chidinma 

Ihemedu 

Layer3 Limited 

36

Mrs

Chidumebi

Egbule

Ncc

37

Mr 

Chijioke Francis 

Isaac 

Fips 

38

Mr

Chimdi 

Chiezukwa 

Freepass Ltd 

39

Mrs

Chinenye

Anufori

The Sun Newspaper

40

Mrs

Chioma 

Ezike 

Frcn

41

ms

Christabel 

justine

Tech tv

42

Mis

Christiana 

Duruji 

Beautyhomes

43

Mr

Clement

Okoye

Lead times African

44

Mr

David 

Apara

BusinessDay 

45

mrs

dorcas

monnu

Firstwatt

46

Engr

Edoyemi

Ogoh

Nigerian Communications Commission 

47

Mr

Edwin 

hilary

lCCI

48

Mr

Ehize

Ilozavbie

American Tower Corporation 

49

Barr.

Ejikeme

Onyeaso

Adaba Consult

50

Mrs

Ejiroghene 

Ndam

Du craft ltd 

51

Mr 

Elijah 

Oyetunji 

Nigcomsat ltd

52

Mr. 

Emma

Okonji

THISDAY Newspapers 

53

Mr

Emmanuel 

Nwaneri 

VDT COMMUNICATIONS 

54

Mrs

Evelyn

Okezie

Liquid Intelligent Technologies 

55

Mr

Fatai 

Sheu 

Igwenoni Multimedia IMV 

56

Faith

Fatima 

Garuba 

NETACCESS SYSTEMS LTD 

57

Mrs

Favour 

Umoru

Legrand Electric 

58

Mrs 

Folakemi 

Olusesi

Nigcomsat 

59

Mr 

Folu

Runsewe

Main One Cable Company Ltd

60

Mr. 

Foluso

Ajanaku

NCC 

61

Ms

Francesca 

Veracruz 

MTN Nigeria 

62

Mr

Francis

Awoefe

Trussnet

63

Mr

Gabriel

Ohiare

OADC

64

Engr 

Gbenga 

Adebayo 

Alton 

65

Ms

Grace

Onyeabor 

Vdt communications

66

Mr 

Habeeb

Salami 

News Agency of Nigeria 

67

Miss 

Halimat

Ogirima 

Atcis

68

Mr

Haruna

Isa Fago

Wema Bank

69

Mrs

Hauwa

Buba Wakili

NCC

70

Ms

Helen 

Emmanuel 

Coloplus worldwide services 

71

Mr

Henry

Amami

ATCON

72

Ms

Hope 

Mfon

BridgeGap Consults Limited 

73

Dr

Ibiso

Kingsley-George 

Nigerian Communications Commission 

74

Mr

Ibrahim

Odemuyiwa

NCC

75

Mr

Ibrahim 

Salihu

Police 

76

Mr 

idowu 

Esoimeme 

LM Ericsson 

77

Mr

ifeanyi

onyeaso

adaba consult

78

Mr

Ifeatu

Ojiakor

MainOne

79

Mr

Ifeatu

Ifeatu Ojiakor 

MainOne

80

Mr

Ifeoluwa Olarinde

Olarinde 

Cedarview Communications Limited 

81

Mrs

Ijeoma 

Onoja

Public servant 

82

Mrs

Ijeoma 

Bassey 

Nigerian Communications Commission 

83

Mr

Iman

Muhammed

Riffutures 

84

IMr

Isaiah

Erhiawarien 

TechnologyMirror

85

Mrs

Isimeme 

Joseph 

Nigerian Communications Commission

86

Mr

Ismaila

Nalado

Ncc

87

Mr

Israel 

Jemigbon

Dotmac technologies ltd

88

Mr

Jacob

Akinlade

eStream Networks LTD

89

Miss

Jennifer 

Gaadi

Gaadis farms 

90

Ms

Joan

Aimuengheuwa 

TechEconomy

91

Engr

Johnson 

Aderonmu 

Internet Solutions Nigeria 

92

Mr

Joseph 

Adewoye 

Vodnet 

93

Mr

Kabiru

Yusuf 

Voice of Nigeria 

94

Mrs

Karo 

Akaba 

ATC Nigeria 

95

Dr.

Kehinde

Joda

FiberOne /ATCON

96

Mr

Kevin 

kaburu 

China mobile international 

97

Mr

Kunle

Azeez

NCC

98

Mr

Lanre

Olanrewaju 

Equinoxcore Technology Limited 

99

Mr

Lanre

Kuforiji 

ATC Nigeria 

100

Ms

lee

casie

B&L

101

Mr

Lima

Kingsley

Kodahotshot

102

Engr

Lookman

Odunusi

ATCIS

103

Mr.

Love

Enabulele 

Coloplus Worldwide services Limited 

104

Mr

Lucas

Ajanaku

The Nation newspaper 

105

Mrs

Mansurah

Adam-Esuola

CRC Data Analytics Limited

106

Mrs

Mariam 

Saliu

NIGCOMSAT 

107

Mr

Martins 

Akingba

Estream Network 

108

Ms

Mary

George

ATCIS

109

Mr

Matthew 

Okwori 

Kodakhotshots Ltd 

110

Miss

Mercy

Moses

Joshella ushering services

111

Mr

Michael

Hussaini

Alliance Towers Limited

112

Mr 

Michael 

Ogundeji 

Capital Market Retail Investment Consultancy 

113

Ms 

Miracle

Umakeiso

JE JOSHELLA USHERING SERVICE

114

Dr

Mohammed 

Suleh-Yusuf

Nigerian Communications Commission 

115

Mr

Moshood 

Oteniara 

ATC Nigeria 

116

Mr

Muhammed

Rudman

IXPN

117

Mr

Nadim

Chidiac

Radical technology network ltd

118

Ms

Nihinlola

Fafore

Huawei technologies 

119

Mr

Nommy

Paul

Spectranet

120

Mr

Nwabuko 

Kalu 

Pan-African towers limited 

121

Mr

Oba

Adéoyè 

Arise News TV

122

Engr

Obehi

Okosun

Cambridge broadband networks limited

123

Mr

Obinna

Nweje

Primacle Limited

124

  Mr

Oboko

Chris

NCC

125

Mr 

Ofili

Myke

Coloplus Worldwide service limited 

126

Dr

Oguchukwu 

Okeke 

Aenon communications Ltd 

127

Ms.

Ojay

Ikani

Storingup Services 

128

Mr 

Okim-Alobi 

Oyama

Liquid intelligent technologies 

129

Mr

OLA Saint 

Blessed 

Empower Africa Project 

130

Mr

Oladele

Adedoyin 

Liquid intelligent Technologies

131

Mr.

Olakunle Daniel 

Olalere 

Internet Solutions Nigeria Limited 

132

Mr

Olalekan 

Mudashiru 

MainOne 

133

Mr

Olasunkanmi Olusogo 

Olagunju 

Project Solutions Institute 

134

Mr 

Olawale 

Owoeye 

Cedarview Communication Limited 

135

Engr.

Olayinka

Ajao

Zyetechcom Integrated Services

136

Ms

Olubunmi 

Afolabi 

Optiva Capital 

137

Ms

Olubunmi 

Abejirin 

Airtel Networks Limited 

138

Ms

Olufunke 

Fagbeja 

NIGCOMSAT LTD

139

Mr

Olugbenga

Olabiyi

Dimension Data Limited

140

Mr

Olusegun 

Oruame 

Knowhow Media 

141

Mr

Olusegun 

Okuneye 

IpNX Nigeria Limited 

142

Mr

Oluwagbenga

Adetuyi 

Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria 

143

Mrs

Oluwaseun 

Adetuyi 

JOUSHELLA USHERING SERVICES 

144

Mr

Oluwaseun 

Adebayo 

Airtel

145

Mr

Oluwaseye 

Oyelowo

MTN Nigeria Communications plc

146

Ms

Oluwashola 

Ilesanmi 

VDT communication 

147

Ms

Oma

Joseph

Estream newtworks

148

Mr

Omijeh

Edeoghon 

Digitalweb Application Development Limited 

149

Mr. 

Omobayo 

Azeez

Business Metrics Limited 

150

Ms

Omolola

Sowemimo

Fips multilinks limited 

151

Mr

Osabhouhien 

AIKHUEMELO

Liquid Intelligent Technologies 

152

Mr

Paul 

Adebayo 

VDT Communications Ltd

153

Mr

Paul 

Ajetunmobi 

MTN

154

Miss

Peace 

Oluwatimilehin

Techlife Media and Communication 

155

Mr

Peter

Awilawi 

Rosco Media

156

Mr

PETER 

OSUERE

Cyberspace Limited 

157

Ms

Precious 

E-Matthews 

Pulse Nigeria 

158

Mr

Prince

Osuagwu

Vanguard media Ltd

159

Mr

Raphael

Iloka

Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria 

160

Mr 

Réal

KITIEU

CMI

161

Mr 

Reuben

Oshomah

Avanti

162

Mrs

Roseline

Baiyekusi

NetAccess Systems Ltd

163

Ms

Rosemary 

Igboeche 

Colopuls worldwide service limited 

164

Mrs

Royal 

Ibeh

Leadership Newspaper 

165

Miss 

Ruth

Moses

Joshella ushering

166

Mrs.

Sade

Dada

Meta

167

Me

Sameon

Adeleye

Civil servant 

168

Mr

Samson 

Akintaro 

Nairametrics 

169

Mr

Samuel

Anika

VDT Communications Ltd

170

Mr

Samuel

Ojowa

VDT Communications limited 

171

Miss

Sandra

Ikediashi

eStream networks LTD

172

Mr

Sanjeev 

Arora 

Spectranet ltd 

173

Mr

Sesan

Sanni

Bridgegap consults limited 

174

Mr

Seun

Folorunso

Fintech Association of Nigeria

175

Mr 

Seun

Olorunisola

IXPN

176

Mr

Seyi

Osibanjo

First City Global Insurance Brokers Limited 

177

Ms

Similoluwa 

Agbejobi 

ATCIS

178

Mr

Simon

Oboh 

FiberOne Broadband 

179

Mrs

Stellamaris 

Ashinze 

News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN)

180

Mr

Stephen 

Agogo

Alliance Towers

181

Mr

Sunday

Agiriga

FiberOne Broadband Limited

182

Mr

Sunday 

Ojeme

New Telegraph 

183

Ms

Theresa

Igata

Political economist mag media

184

Mr

Tobenna

Okoli

Result Science 

185

Mr

Tobiloba

Gideon

NCC Telecom Weekly

186

Ms

Toni

Lanre

Bridgegap Consults Limited 

187

Mr

Tony

Emoekpere 

Anchor Telecoms 

188

Engr

Ubale

Maska

NCC

189

Mr

Uchenna

Anyanonu

Liquid Intelligence technologies 

190

Mrs

Udochukwu 

Aniebue 

Du craft Ltd 

191

Ms

Ugochi 

Emmanuel 

TECHlife Media and communications 

192

Mr

Victor

Okolie

ATCON

193

Miss

Victoria 

Ogoke 

Reftop

194

Dr

Vincent 

Olatunji 

Nigeria Data Protection Commission 

195

Mr

Wale

Aina

Landmark Africa Magazine 

196

Miss 

Winifred

Unuafe faith 

Estreams networks 

197

Mr

Yemi

Oshodi

ICSL 

198

Mr

Yussuf

Bello

Atcis

199

MR

Zubairu 

Bashiru 

MTN

4.0 Welcome Address 

The President of ATCON, Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, set the stage rolling with his welcome address. He highlighted the focus of the 2023 Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum (TERF 2023) as an industry programme that brings together, industry players and regulators to address burning industry issues in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. According to him, ATCON, which is the premier association formed 30 years ago by the first set of technocrats in Nigeria, is committed to promoting an enabling environment for the growth of consumers in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Part of his speech read: This year’s TERF forum is poised to provide a unique atmosphere for key industry regulators to discuss issues on critical national infrastructure as a strategic tool for attracting rapid investment in the sector. The sector, no doubt, is faced with several challenges, which include universal broadband. The 2023 TERF forum is designed to discuss industry challenges and proffer solutions to identified challenges. The solutions will have positive effects that will further enhance investment in the sector and encourage rapid growth and spread of broadband services across the country.

The ICT sector is a fast-growing sector that has contributed 16 per cent growth to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The industry would have done better if the current challenges bedeviling the sector had been addressed. ATCON intends to use the TERF 2023 platform to bring out the salient and unpronounced challenges of the sector, with a view to addressing them. Emoekpere thanked the sponsors of the TERF 2023 forum for making it a huge success. The sponsors include: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Liquid Intelligent Technologies (LIT), Open Access Data Centres, MainOne, VDT, Pan African Towers, Galaxy Backbone, FibreOne Broadband Limited, Rack Centre Limited, among others.

5.0 Goodwill Message 

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, who gave a goodwill message at the forum, thanked ATCON for inviting ALTON to its forum. According to him, ALTON was part of ATCON at the inception, but later felt that the needs of core telecoms operators were not been addressed under ATCON, hence the current members of ALTON decided to detach themselves to form ALTON. Adebayo said ALTON was created as an advocacy group to champion the course of licensed telecoms operators. He commended ATCON for its steadfastness over the years in shaping the ICT industry. 

Discussing the challenges of the industry, Adebayo stressed the urgent need for regulatory independence of the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He equally called for upward review of telecoms tariff, adding that the current tariff is no longer sustainable. Adebayo said the total independence of NCC as a regulator, would enable it implement policies that would further develop the telecoms sector. He therefore suggested that NCC should consider upward review of telecoms tariff, if the sector must survive and continue to provide quality services, while still maintaining its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Adebayo, since the inception of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) in 2001, telecoms tariff has never been increased. Telecoms sector is the only sector where cost of delivering services continues to drop, while cost of goods and services in other sectors of the economy continues to rise. The present cost of delivering telecoms services is no longer sustainable, hence the urgent need for the upward review of telecoms tariff, Adebayo said. He enjoined all industry stakeholders to continue to collaborate in driving the ICT sector.

6.1 First Keynote Presentation (NCC) 

The first keynote address, which focused on the theme: ‘Success Factors and Barriers to National Broadband and Digital Economy Aspirations’, was presented by the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.

Highlighting some of the challenges of the telecoms sector, Danbatta said the initial introduction of five per cent excise duty on telecoms operations was an additional levy to the 46 existing multiple taxes imposed on telecoms operations by government at various levels. He however said the suspension of five per cent excise duty was a big relief for the telecoms sector, but called for total removal of the five per cent excise duty on telecoms operations.

Speaking about the success stories around broadband deployment in Nigeria, Danbatta said Nigeria surpassed its 30 per cent broadband penetration target in December 2018 and that the country would also surpass its 50 per cent broadband penetration target by 2023 and the 70 per cent broadband penetration target by 2025, having attained 47.2 per cent broadband penetration as at August 2023. Danbatta said with various ongoing regulatory efforts, “NCC is confident that we are going to reach 50 per cent broadband penetration threshold by the end of 2023 and by 2025, we would have met and possibly surpassed the 70 per cent broadband penetration target, as contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025.” 

Addressing other success stories in the area of telecom contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Danbatta said telecommunications sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP has increased significantly to 16 per cent in the second quarter of 2023, while citing a recent report released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS). According to Danbatta, from a 14.13 per cent contribution in the first quarter of 2023, and up from the hitherto 15 per cent all-time-high record contributed in the second quarter of 2022, the telecommunications sector added 16 per cent to the national GDP in the second quarter of 2023 to set a new record. “From about eight per cent contribution to GDP in 2015, when I came on board as the EVC of NCC, quarterly GDP has increased significantly to reach its current threshold of 16 per cent and this has continued to positively impact all aspects of the economy. 

“Through sustained regulatory excellence and operational efficiency by the Commission, the industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades and this has impacted on all other sectors of the economy,” Danbatta said. Another success area according to Danbatta, is in the area of USSD service debt accumulation, which according to him, agreement has been reached between the telcos and the banks for the payment of the accumulated USSD debt owed telcos by the banks. This, Danbatta said, was achieved through the cooperation of the current Acting Governor of the CBN who acknowledged the useful contributions that the telecoms operators are making in addition to driving financial services in the country.

 

He stated that while there are barriers to broadband deployment in the country, ranging from the issue of right of way (RoW), fibre cuts, high capital requirement for deployment, multiple taxations and regulations, among other challenges, the NCC is navigating regulatory complexities, digital divide and literacy, security concerns with firmness and increased collaborations with necessary stakeholders such as ATCON to create measures towards tackling the challenges.

6.2 Second Keynote Presentation (NDPC) 

The second keynote paper was presented by the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, with the theme: ‘Impact of Data Protection Policy on the Development of the Nigerian Digital Economy.’ According to him, identity and protection are key in the development of any digital economy, especially so that the world is being driven by data. Nigerians releases personal data on a daily basis when processing international passport, National Identity Number (NIN), Drivers’ license, SIM registration, vehicle registration, among others, and the information are valid and must be protected by those who collate and process such data.

According to him, the value of global digital data economy as at 2021 was $14.5 trillion and it is projected to reach N20.8 trillion by 2025. He said data could be looked at from various standpoints such as the variety, veracity, the volume and velocity. He said the knowledge about data would help in making informed decisions at both the individual and government levels, hence the need for proper regulation of data processing and usage in the country, in order to beef up security around data and to protect the privacy of data. He said Nigeria has several initiatives embedded in the 1999 Constitution in protecting data privacy of individuals and organizations, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, but added that only little has been achieved in that direction.

He explained that in order to strengthen data protection in Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), issued a regulation document on data protection in 2019 before the Nigeria Data Protection Commission Act (NDPC Act) was drafted and signed into law in June 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The NDPC Act is controlled by four major actors: The Data Subject, which comprises of the individuals and organizations; The Data Processors, Data Controllers who generate and process data on behalf of individuals and organizations and the Data Regulator like the NDPC that regulates data generation, data control and data processing, Olatunji said.

He advised individuals and organizations that are into online business and transactions, to be acquainted with the NDPC Act and comply with the regulations therein to avoid violating the laws, which he said, would attract sanctions, when violated. He spoke on the need to protect individual and organization’s data for the purpose of privacy and security, especially in the era of Big Data Analytics and Blockchain Technology. He said regulation would enhance cross border trade and trust in online transactions. He explained that NDPC is currently training organizations and interest groups on data protection and data protection law compliance, adding that the awareness campaign is ongoing to keep all Nigerians abreast of the NDPC Act and for the need to protect data and improve compliance. He also said NDPC Act would create huge job opportunities for Nigeria in the areas of data generation, control, processing and regulation.

7.0 First Panel Session

The first panel session discussed the theme: ‘Impact of Data Protection Policy on the Development of the Nigerian Digital Economy’. The panel session was chaired by the Regional Business Head and General Counsel, MainOne, an Equinix Company, Mr. Abayomi Adebanjo. Members of the panel include: Managing Director/CEO, Open Access Data Centres, Dr. Ayotunde Coker; Senior Sales Manager, Rack Centre, Mr. Abiodun Sanni; Head, Internet Governance and New Media, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ibiso Kingsley-George and Head of Privacy Policy, Africa, Middle East and Turkey at Meta, Dr. Ololade Shyllon, who joined the panel remotely through video conferencing.

One of the panelists, Dr. Ayotunde Coker of Open Access Data Centres, stressed the need for scalability and investment in data infrastructure to support cloud connectivity and the need for more data centres across the country to host data and to promote data laws and data protection.

Abiodun Sanni of Rack Centre also stressed on the need for funding to support scalability of data infrastructure. They also looked at the issue of limited access to connectivity in rural areas and suggested more investment in the area of data centre connectivity that will enhance data generation, processing and control in rural communities. The panelists identified limited contents in data processing and control and advised that Nigerians must start to build contents around data generation and processing. The panelists also discussed data regulation in such a way that it would not stifle technology growth.

Reacting to regulation issues, Dr. Ibiso Kingsley-George of the NCC said NCC was aware of the need not to stifle technology through regulation, hence the commission has put measures in place to address regulation without stifling technology growth.

Dr. Ololade Shyllon of Meta, in her submission on harmonization of data regulation across board, said there was need for Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to harmonize its operations with the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). She said financial value of the global digital economy remained huge that Nigeria can tap into it to boost the Nigerian economy. She stressed the need for data harmonization in order to tap into the huge benefits of the digital data economy. She said in Europe, there is one standard across board that allows for better inter trade relation. She said Africa should have a standard data regulation policy that will harmonize all data policies and regulations across African countries, to enable cross-border trade among African countries. She said any over restrictive data regulation would stifle technology growth, adding that data is a sensitive and important resource that should not be over regulated.

7.1 Second Panel Session 

The second panel session discussed the theme: ‘Critical National Infrastructure Policy as a Strategic Tool for Attracting Rapid Investment’. The panel session was chaired by the Managing Director/CEO, Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Mr. Muhammed Rudman. Members of the panel include: Managing Director/CEO, WTES Project Limited, Mr. Chidi Princewill Ajuzie; Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Engr. Tukur Mohammed Lawal, who was represented by Olufugba Fadugaba; Principal Manager, Lead and Regulatory Services Department, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mohammed Sule-Yusuf, and Mr. Ejikeme Azubike Onyeaso of Adaba Consult.

Muhammed Rudman gave a breakdown of critical national infrastructure in the country and the existing policies around critical national infrastructure development in the country, before opening the floor for discussion by the panelists. The panelists said Nigeria cannot successfully talk about critical national infrastructure policy as a strategic tool for attracting investment, without first addressing the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria. They agreed with the chairman of the panel that there are existing policies around critical national infrastructure that will drive investment, but stressed the need for strict implementation of the existing policies, which they said, was lacking in the Nigerian business environment. They stressed the importance of critical national infrastructure in the telecoms sector, and the need to protect them through strict implementation of existing policies around critical national infrastructure. They said if the infrastructure is well protected, it would attract foreign investments. Aside policy implementation, the panelists also stressed the need for wide consultation with stakeholders on national critical infrastructure.

The panel also discussed the Critical National Asset Infrastructure Projection Policy and Strategy document, which seeks to identity and monitor the country’s critical national assets that are critical for nation survival. The document was developed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), with contributions from industry stakeholders. The panelists argued that if the entire critical national infrastructure is vandalized, it will not only affect the telecoms sector, but also other sectors of the Nigerian economy. They said destruction of critical national infrastructure could be criminal or civil, but stressed that too much attention is paid to the criminal aspect of the destruction while little attention is paid to civil destruction, which include road construction that is not always willful when telecoms infrastructure is destroyed during construction. They said the laws governing critical national infrastructure should cover both the criminal (willful destruction) and civil (non-willful destruction). They said destroyers of critical national infrastructure must be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. The panelists were of the view that destruction of critical national infrastructure would lead to revenue loss to the operators and government as well as distortion in the flow quality service. They suggested that surveillance, awareness and enforcement of penalties, will go a long way to address the issue destruction of national critical infrastructure.

7.2 Third Panel Session 

The third panel session discussed the theme: ‘Challenges of Universal Broadband And Digital Services in Nigeria-Empowering Industry SMEs’. The panel session was chaired by Group Managing Director, VDT Communications, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi. Members of the panel include: Managing Director/CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Mr. Wole Abu; Managing Director/CEO, Information Connectivity Solutions Ltd, Mr. Yemi Oshodi; Managing Director/CEO, Cedarview Communications Ltd, Mr. Wale Owoeye; Managing Director/CEO, NetAccess, Mr. Lakan Balogun; Head, Enterprise Sales, FibreOne Broadband Ltd, Dr. Kenny Joda; Chief Operating Officer, eStream Network Ltd, Mr. Martins Akingba and Head, Digital Skills And Services Unit, Digital Economy Department, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs. Hauwa Buba-Wakili.

The panel chairman, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, gave the narration of how Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) could be empowered in the scheme of things, using broadband connectivity, before calling for inputs from the panelists. The panelists identified insufficient internet connectivity in rural communities, where SMEs also resides. They called for more access to connectivity outside of urban cities, to enable SMEs in rural communities have access to internet connectivity. D. Kenny Joda of FibreOne Broadband Ltd, was of the view that local content development be looked into to enable indigenous telecoms service providers offer better services to the communities where they operate. According to him, the high cost of doing business is posing barrier to indigenous telecoms operators like FibreOne, adding that such high operating cost is fast killing indigenous mobile network operators (MNOs), and called for government protection in order to keep SMEs in business.

The panelists however proffered solutions on how best to break some of the identified challenges impeding the growth of SMEs. They called for increased infrastructure sharing among telecoms operators, saying that the current infrastructure sharing ratio is not sufficient to sustain SMEs in the telecoms sector. The panelists suggested that NCC must ensure that the business model of new entrants into the telecoms space must align with the business model of exiting telecoms operators. According to the panelists, SMEs contribute 48 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, and account for 96 per cent of businesses and 84 per cent of employment generation in Nigeria. They therefore argued that taking broadband to that segment of the Nigerian ecosystem, would make a lot of positive impact on SMEs and on the Nigerian economy. They were of the view that government must provide financial services to SMEs and they encouraged SMEs to embrace community collaboration that will help them understand their common challenges and grow faster in business.

 

The panelists further said with over 17.4 million SMEs in Nigeria, delivering broadband services to them at affordable rate, will boost their businesses and enhance economic growth of the country. They suggested the provision of ubiquitous broadband access to SMEs in Nigeria at no cost to SMEs within specific locations like market places and in public busses where there are clusters of SMEs. 

The panelists also suggested the deployment of Aerial Fibre across the country to avoid willful destruction of fibre cables as well as unintended destruction during road construction.

8.0 Tour of Exhibition Stands

Participants, led by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Engr. Ubale Maska, and the President of ATCON, Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, had a tour of the exhibition stands, where emerging technology solutions and services were on display. The tour came up after the third panel session.

9.0 Vote of Thanks

The vote of thanks was given at the end of the forum by the Chairman, Organizing Committee of the 2023 Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum (TERF 2023), Dr. Mike Ofili. He thanked everyone for their active participation, and promised a bigger and improved forum in 2024.

10. Closing and Lunch

The forum closed by 3pm with a sumptuous lunch for all participants.

Rapporteur: Emma Okonji, ICT Editor, THISDAY Newspapers