NCC harps on need for research in ICT

Success Damian:

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has harped on the need for research in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) space to enhance innovation.

The commission took the position at the First Roundtable with Academia, Industry and other Stakeholders in the Southwest which took place at University of Lagos recently.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, speaking at the event aptly themed ‘Synergy by Academia, Industry and Regulator as Accelerator for Innovation, Industry Growth and Sustainability’, said “The academia is a key driver of innovation on all spheres of human endeavor. He said the idea, innovations and improvements that emanate from the academia are required by the industry for improved efficiencies and productivities, adding that “With these in mind, the regulator as a critical component of any ecosystem aims to ensure all stakeholders are protected and the industry nurtured for maximum benefit to business and society.”

Danbatta who was represented by Engr. Ubale Shehu  Maska, the Executive Commissioner (Technical Services) disclosed that the growth of new technologies such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence, cloud computing , increased delivery of speed by various broadband technologies like 4G and 5G technologies, advancement in processor and other electronics technologies have led to huge opportunities and risks, hence, the need for collaboration between academia, industry and regulators to ensure the technologies can be properly harnessed and standards built in such a way that is beneficial to all stakeholders.

Dambatta stated that the commission has, among other things, directed funds to encourage innovation by boosting research and development in universities across the country. “I am glad to say that our universities are making good progress in information and communication Technology research and development.

“Faced by the challenges of the theme of this forum, it is clear that, the commission will have to make a commitment not only to the success of the industry, but also to facilitate the contributions from academia, ensure sustainability and economic growth. The commission strives to ensure the engagement of all stakeholders on improving efficiency and impacting consumer positively.”

He said the telecommunications industry has enormous potential for enabling environmental, social and economic benefits through broadband connectivity. As the sector continues to experience exponential traffic growth, network energy consumption is emerging as a critical issue. In the last two decades, Telecommunication has emerged as a key driver of economic and social development in increasingly knowledge-intensive global scenario.

Dambatta went further so state that to sustain the standard of living of an ever-increasing Nigerian population, a strategy for continual development in Telecommunication technology needs to be given attention and timely research in that area be conducted by the academia that will result in minimal impact on the environment.

 “I would like to highlight, that research contribution towards industry and sustainable technology development should not occur exclusively by means of efforts developed in laboratory or publications of papers. We need to collaborate, with an emphasis on determination, on development of prototypes that meet the standards required by the industry.

“Academia is challenged to study the impact of various practices and issues peculiar to the Nigerian operating environment on the operational efficiency and service delivery capability and performance by telecommunications industry players for example to the subscribers,“ Dambatta said.