Monday, October 6, 2025
24.2 C
Lagos

NCC Lament Nigeria’s NRI Ranking Despite Telecom, Internet Position in Africa

Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says Nigeria’s current ranking of 109 out of 131 countries on the Network Readiness Index (NRI) in 2022 is challenging and troubling.

Danbatta said Nigeria as a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82 percent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 percent of the continent’s Internet consumption should have better NRI ranking than the current level of ranking. He added that the challenge becomes even more worrisome given that the nation rates 11th globally in terms of Internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage.

The NCC Chief said: “The global data collected by the NRI team reveals that digital transformation is a global imperative in order to maximise the social and economic effects of the digital era.

It can create new inequalities which can hinder the ability of younger generations to engage in the digital economy, but also remains a powerful way to do more with less at all levels of income.

Formal education is evolving, and metrics are important to support informed policymaking. This requires reskilling and upskilling opportunities to be available, accessible, and affordable in order to have more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies.

Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, with 82 percent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 percent of the continent’s internet consumption. Our nation rates eleventh globally in terms of internet penetration and seventh in terms of mobile phone usage. Despite these remarkable metrics, the fact that our Network Readiness Index (NRI) ranking for 2022 is 109th out of 131 countries is both humbling and challenging?”

He described the NRI as a guiding metric that measures the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“It explores the performances of 131 economies in four key categories: technology (infrastructure), governance, people, and impact. As agents of social and economic transformation in our nation, prioritising network readiness is not only a strategic necessity but a mandate. Throughout our deliberations, we will engage in thought-provoking forum discussions that explore the foundational pillars of NRI, through a number of presentations by renowned professionals in the technology landscape.”

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Ecobank Nigeria Launches Upgraded Mobile App for Faster, Smarter Banking Experience

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African banking...

Ortom, NOA DG, Others to Feature as Panelists at GOCOP 2025 Conference

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced...

AIICO Celebrates Retiring Employees: Honouring Decades of Service with Gratitude

Left - right: Adeleke Adeshina (rtd), Lanre Oladehinde (rtd.),...

Nigeria’s Banking Woes: How One South African Bank Outvalues an Entire Industry

It is a sobering reality that one South African...

Topics

Kachikwu Removed as NNPC GMD, Remains Minister

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has been removed as Group Managing...

NCDMB ES Visits Pipe Coating Firms, Pledges Support for Local Capacities

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has...

AAN Launches Teachers’ Manual for Teaching Students with Albinism

In a significant move towards inclusive education, the Albinism...

Anti-Corruption: As Judicial Officers Re-Echo Need for Special Courts

By Walter Duru One of the issues that came up...

NAICOM Confirms Pius Apere as Linkage Assurance CEO

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has confirmed the appointment...

Stanbic IBTC Holdings: Fintech Subsidiary Begins Operation

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, a leading provider of financial...

Naira Redesign: Ecobank Offers Customers 8% Interest on Deposit of Old Notes

Ecobank Nigeria has again called on its customers to...

PILA Set to Commission Secretariat Nov 2, Host Industry Night

Joyce Ojemudia PILA President The Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), the...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img