- describes GOCOP as a major media stakeholder
Any Nigerian who want to register a new SIM card for any reason whatsoever, must first possess and present his/her National Identification Number (NIN), the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said.
This according to Danbatta who was represented by NCC’s spokesman, Mr Omoniyi Ibietan, is in line with the National Identification Number Registration guidelines 2017, issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in respect of SIM Registration and its connection with national security.
Danbatta spoke on the sidelines of the third yearly conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), which took place at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, on Thursday.
He disclosed that the cumulative investment in the communications sector of the economy is over $70 billion, with active telephone lines in the country at about 175 million, representing a 91.65 percent teledensity, while internet users are now at all time high 122.6 million and broadband penetration standing at 35 percent.
He said from a almost negative point 18 years ago, the communications industry now contributes 11.39 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and would continue to expand its frontiers in becoming a critical stakeholder in the economy in line with the present administration’s desire to diversify the economy and make ICT a major player.
Here is excerpt of the speech delivered at the event.
The Chairman of the Occasion,
The Guest Speaker,
Chairman of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers,
Members of the Guild,
Representatives from the Public sector,
Representatives from Private sector,
Other stakeholders present,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
We at the NCC are always delighted to be part of the Annual Conference of the
Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). That is why we have joined you
for today’s event holding here at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
GOCOP has, over the years, remained a segment of the Commission’s broad media
stakeholders, who have continually supported in disseminating our activities –
policies, programmes and decisions – to its various stakeholders. We are,
indeed, grateful for the professional manner with which you cover our
activities from time to time.
Ladies and gentlemen, the theme of this event: “Economy, Security and National
Development: The Way Forward in Nigeria” is very apt and timely, as it speaks
to the fundamental issues that underpin our development outlook as a nation.
I have no doubt that today’s Guest Speaker, the highly respected Bishop Mathew
Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria, is more than qualified
to handle a contemporary and national discourse of this nature. We look forward
to having a good time with him on how we can better improve our economy,
address our security challenges and ultimately advance national development in
our country.
Having said this, permit me to quickly take you through a few things that the
NCC, as the country’s independent telecom regulatory authority, has been doing
towards engendering security of lives and property for economic development in
our country. This will be
discussed under the sub-theme: ‘NCC, SIM Registration, Security and National
Development.”
As you may be aware, the Nigerian telecoms industry, in the past 18 years, has
recorded tremendous growth. Today, the number of active telephone lines in the
country is about 175 million, representing a teledensity of 91.65 per cent.
Today, the number of Internet users is 122.6 million while broadband
penetration currently stands at 35 percent. The cumulative investment profile
in the sector is over $70 billion.
At 11.39 percent contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the telecom
subsector remains a major actor in the national economy. Indeed, as at the
second quarter of 2019, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s
contribution to the GDP was 13.88 per cent. Today, the positive impacts of
telecoms sector – either voice or data resonate in other sectors of the economy
and in all the aspects of our daily interactions.
With respect to SIM Registration and its connection with national security, I
will like to remind us that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
established under the NIMC 2007 Act has released the National Identification
Number Regulations 2017. That regulation provides that a person must provide
his/her National Identity Number (NIN) in order to register a telephone SIM
card.
Consequently, the NCC in collaboration with all stakeholders has set in motion
mechanisms for compliance. It may interest you to know that the NCC engages in
continuous verification exercise of the SIM data collected by the MNOs and
their SIM registration agents across the country to deliver on its mandate.
This is part of the Commission’s consistent regulatory interventions to ensure
that we have credible subscriber data.
I, therefore, would like to use this opportunity to encourage Nigerians – you
and I – who want to acquire new SIM cards, for one reason or the other, to
ensure that they obtain a National Identity Number first.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude this short remark by assuring Nigerians
that the NCC, in its renowned effective regulatory character, remains
consistent in its commitment to using telecoms to support the current
tripartite agenda of the Federal Government, which are to improve the economy,
enhance security of lives and property and to fight corruption in our society.
On this note, I thank Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) for inviting
the Nigerian Communications Commission to attend this conference and to make
some remarks. I wish you a very fruitful deliberations.