Business
By Anayo Ezugwu
THE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has said that the number of active subscribers in Nigeria has increased in the last eight months. The commission said the figures rose from 184 million in December 2019 to 199.3 million in May 2020.
Speaking at the presentation of grants to winners of digital solutions to COVID-19, Professor Umar Danbatta, executive vice-chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, said the internet subscriptions in the same period had grown from 126 million subscribers to 147.1 million, while broadband subscription improved from 72 million to 80.2 million. He noted that the current broadband subscription increase showed that the country has achieved a 42.02 percent penetration.
According to him, these may have given impetus to the possibility of holding virtual meetings and conferences on video technologies that are now providing social distancing solutions. “So, in whichever way we look at it, telecommunications has a much greater role to play than many other sectors of the economy and society. Therefore, the challenge to us to find a way to accentuate our local content solution is a blessing. We are pleased with the responses that we received on this initiative.
“The Hackathon is expected to throw up innovative and adaptable solutions that will address the present and future impacts of Pandemics and Epidemic diseases in Nigeria focusing on five thematic areas namely – Health, Community, Productivity, Economy and Education. Today, we hope to unveil the three winning adaptable digital solutions from Startups or Digital SME’s, who participated in this competition, aimed at producing homegrown solutions to the global pandemic for local, national, or global adoption.
“We had, in inviting submissions for this innovative digital solution to COVID-19 pandemic, sought novel ideas or solution to address the needs of health workers and other frontline health professionals, including individuals in isolation centres, or provide help for relevant agencies involved in tracking and tracing the spread of the virus as well as support or facilitation of other preventive measures. We will all witness what digital solutions that today’s winners are going to bring to the table. Each of the Startups or tech-hubs with promising innovative digital solutions against the pandemic will receive a grant of N3 million.
“Today’s event is by no means the first of its kind. We have encouraged ICT innovations among the Nigerian youths whom we have regularly sponsored to the various competitions organized by the International Telecommunications Union. The Commission has in the past two years managed similar ICT-based innovations and research competitions among the tertiary institutions in the country, with potential to improving on our local content solutions in the industry,” he said.
– Sept. 2 2020 @ 16:29 GMT |
Tags: Nigeria’s active subscribers now 199.3m – NCC
