The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced that it has given concrete expression to the Federal Government’s initiative to promote indigenous innovative technologies in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The Commission stated that it has demonstrated this by hosting the first prototype and research exposition, which featured no less than ten prototypes resulting from its sponsored Telecommunications-Based Research Innovation Projects in Nigerian universities.
During the two-day event, held at the Commission’s Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Head Office Annex in Mbora District, Abuja, from February 21–22, 2022, the Commission selected ten prototypes for exhibition as outputs of its telecom research project.
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Multiple operators’ enabled SIM, GSM communication-based walking cane robot, Powerline communications module, Home-grown electrical power charger, Low-cost GSM telephone system, Wireless power transfer device, Vital sign monitor, Plastic optical fiber cable, Wearable E-band tracker, and a Software-based nomadic base station are among the top ten prototypes.
The Commission stated that it is implementing the research and prototype exposition as a means of encouraging prototype commercialization, as an influential platform for universities, professionals, and industry experts to come together, share information, and build long-term business relationships.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy stated that through the NCC’s telecoms-based research and prototype exposition, the indigenous technological capabilities will be fully appreciated, harnessed, and utilized in order to stimulate the overall productivity and sustainability of the telecommunications industry.
Pantami emphasized that research is regarded as a necessary condition for any nation’s technological development, as well as the backbone of the communications industry because it is the foundation for the future development of advanced telecommunications products and services. He charged mobile network operators (MNOs) with collaborating with the NCC to support indigenous technology development in order to address future national challenges.
The Minister praised the Commission’s Board and Management for assisting in the achievement of the lofty policy goals outlined in the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content (NPPIC) 2021.
In his address, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the NCC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to acting as an active regulator to drive the indigenous content development component of the nation’s telecoms sector. The EVC emphasized the importance of strengthening Nigerians’ indigenous technological capacities through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“The Commission has awarded grants to successful academic institutions to develop Working Prototype and Telecommunications-led Products capable of addressing industry needs and providing overall sustainability, fully developed and ready for the first phase of market entry,” Danbatta said.
According to the EVC, “it is critical to have a commercialization strategy to transition from rudimentary research into the market to address local challenges and reduce over-reliance on imported innovations and technologies with the attendant drain on the nation’s scarce foreign exchange.”
This is what this program aims to accomplish: “to maximize the full potential of academia in contributing to the steady growth of Nigeria’s telecoms industry.”
