The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) recently convened its inaugural Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting with ICT officials from the 36 states of Nigeria. The event, themed “Harnessing States’ Potentials through the Applications of Technical Efficiencies,” took place in Abuja and aimed to foster collaboration between state governments and telecom operators to drive the nation’s digital transformation.
ATCON President, Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, kicked off the meeting with a welcome address that set the tone for the discussions. The event featured a keynote speech delivered by Engr. Yahaya Hamisu Abubakar, Head of the Broadband Implementation and Monitoring Unit at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on behalf of Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC.
Presentations were made by industry representatives, including Channel Scott of Pan African Towers and Saidu Abdulahi of IHS, who outlined the expectations of telecom operators from state governments. On the government side, Mrs. Rose Ibrahim, representing Kogi State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, and Mr. Suleiman Isah, Commissioner for Communications, Technology, and Digital Economy, discussed the state governments’ expectations from operators, particularly in advancing connectivity and the digital economy.
The meeting featured two interactive panel discussions that explored the perspectives of both government representatives and telecom operators. Attendees included officials from states such as Enugu, Cross River, Taraba, Adamawa, Anambra, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Ogun.
The gathering, attended by approximately 85 stakeholders from the telecom industry, government, and media, concluded with the issuance of a communiqué outlining key observations and recommendations.
Key Observations:
- Challenges in the Telecom Sector: Operators expressed concern over the impact of criminal activities like kidnapping, vandalism, and terrorism on telecom infrastructure, particularly in the northern and southeastern regions. Additionally, they highlighted the high fees and bureaucratic obstacles associated with obtaining Right of Way permits from certain state governments, which continue to hinder infrastructure development.
- Government Expectations: State representatives emphasized the need for telecom operators to engage more closely with sub-national governments to foster mutual understanding of investments and operations within host communities. They also stressed the importance of obtaining proper permits in line with the Communications Act of 2003 to avoid conflicts.
- Collaboration for Digital Economy: There was unanimous agreement on the necessity of cooperation between the federal government, state governments, and industry stakeholders to advance the digital economy. The meeting recognized the significant progress made in connectivity and broadband penetration and the potential for further improvements through technical efficiencies and collaboration.
Resolutions and Recommendations:
- Regular Stakeholder Meetings: The meeting resolved that such consultative and interactive sessions should be held regularly, at least annually, to maintain momentum in fostering collaboration.
- Memorandum of Understanding: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) specifying standards of engagement between operators and sub-national governments was recommended as an outcome of the meeting, aimed at creating a more investor-friendly environment.
- Enhanced Cooperation: Both government entities and telecom operators were encouraged to prioritize collaboration to achieve a more connected Nigeria and spur economic growth. State governments were urged to prioritize telecom infrastructure, work towards harmonized Right of Way charges, and adopt the “Dig Once” policy nationwide.
Acknowledgments: The meeting concluded with commendations for ATCON’s leadership in organizing the event, appreciation for the NCC’s support under the leadership of Dr. Aminu Maida, and gratitude to the event sponsors and media for their participation and coverage.
The communiqué was issued on July 31, 2024, at the Envoy Hotel, Diplomatic Drive, Abuja.
