By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is getting prepared for the maiden edition of Nigerian Telecom Leadership Summit (NTLS 2019) taking place at the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, May 23, 2019.
The Summit’s theme: “Repositioning the Nigerian Telecom Industry for Future Challenges and Prospects”, according to the telecommunications industry regulator, is in line with its commitment to improving the investment climate of the Nigerian Telecom industry. It is geared towards sustaining a robust collaborative regulatory environment in order to address current and future challenges of the sector.
As part of the programme of collaborative regulatory atmosphere, the summit presents a unique opportunity for NCC to interact with key stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues affecting the industry with a view to proffering solutions to address challenges. It is also designed to critically analyse the current state of the industry and to make profound recommendations for sustaining a healthy Nigerian telecom industry.
The Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, will be the Special Guest of Honour, while the Keynote will be delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, former Minister of Communications Technology, on the topic: “Best Fit Infrastructure Investment Choice for an Emerging Market.”
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, and the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, are expected to address the gathering as guests.
Chairman NCC Board of Commissioners, Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye will also attend the event alongside the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive (EVC/CE) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who will present an overview of the status of the Industry as a prelude to the Keynote and Panel Discussions.
Eminent persons and other stakeholders participating in the Summit have been slated as panelists in a discourse focused on: “The Challenges Facing the Nigerian Telecoms Industry, Way Forward and the Role of the Regulator”. Further discussion will also take place on the topic: “Implications of Multiple Taxation on Telecom Investments in Nigeria” after a presentation on the subject by Dr. Doyin Salami of the Lagos Business School.
Among the panelists for the two segments are: Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Ms. Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Mr. Abubakar Mahmood (SAN), immediate past President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); and Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Senior Partner at KPMG.
The President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, and his counterpart at the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo are also on the panels, while Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) will speak on: “The Role of the Mandatory Code of Corporate Governance in the Nigerian Telecom Industry.”
With investments estimated at over $70 Billion beginning, active lines in the voice segment standing at 173.7 million as at March 2019, a teledensity of 91% as at March 2019, and with 63 million broadband users representing 33.22% of Nigeria’s projected population of 190 million, Professor Danbatta affirms that the Nigerian telecommunications sector is “work in progress.
