To limit growing energy prices The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), which is on the verge of introducing laws that would encourage the sector to use clean and sustainable energy sources, is wreaking economic havoc from which the telecoms business is not immune. Additionally, the strategy aims to aid in lowering the nation’s carbon pollution footprint.
The Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the disclosure yesterday in Lagos during a roundtable meeting with representatives from business, academia, and other stakeholders.
Danbatta held a roundtable discussion on the theme “Refocusing Academic Research towards Alternative Clean Energy: Panacea to Paucity of Energy in the Telecoms Sector.” He said the urgent need to address the challenges posed by climate change and the increasing demand for energy confronts the globe.
According to Danbatta, with Nigeria’s telecoms sector now valued at $75.6 billion, the telephony industry, like many other industries, has a significant role to play in the transition to a sustainable energy future. He emphasized that all parties have the responsibility to ensure that they accomplish the growth of the telecoms sector in an environmentally friendly way and in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As a result, he claimed that the implementation of the regulation would promote the use of ethical energy in the telecommunications industry. According to Danbatta, the regulation will offer telecoms service providers with a framework for implementing clean and sustainable energy sources, thereby lowering their carbon impact and promoting a better future.
Danbatta, represented by Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services NCC, said, “We believe that this policy will not only benefit the environment but also drive innovation and create new business opportunities within the industry.”
“However, achieving our objectives requires collaboration and partnership with the academia and other stakeholders,” he claimed.
Danbatta contends that academia is essential to fostering the kind of research and innovation that has the power to revolutionize entire sectors.
He said that the academic community’s skills, ideas, and knowledge would help in the development of workable clean energy alternatives that the telecoms sector could use for a reliable energy supply.
Danbatta stated that the Commission’s primary objectives were to reorient future academic research toward workable sustainable energy alternatives that the telecom sector might utilize.
He contends that it is crucial to find and research cutting-edge technologies that can effectively and sustainably power our communication infrastructure, such as biomass, solar, and wind.
“We need the research of the academia to help us understand the potential of these alternative energy sources, address their challenges, and develop strategies for their implementation in the telecoms sector.”
“Secondly, we seek to promote research in academia that leverages digital technology to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians, “the NCC boss said.
Justifying the need to diversify into alternative energy, the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Pro. Abiodun Adebayo, said the event was apt. He stressed that the energy issue is first a national one before becoming global.”
He claims that the telecom industry needs to diversify, saying “current megawatt of electricity generated in the country today is a far cry from the capacity of the country and what is needed to serve the populace.”
In order to create advances for the industry, he urged greater research collaboration between universities and the NCC. Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, the University of Lagos’ Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), stated filthy energy is more expensive and has a significant detrimental effect on the environment. She stated that Unilag was prepared to collaborate with NCC and the telecoms sector on future research projects that would advance the sector.
In the meantime, the Commission said that Mafab Communications, one of the businesses awarded Fifth Generation (5G) licences, has roll-out service in a statement signed by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.
Also, The telecoms regulator asserted that the corporation legally acquired the license on February 22, 2022, after completing the requirement of paying the $273.6 million charge in February 2022.
“Consequent upon the issuance of the 5G licence, and in line with the rollout conditions, MAFAB publicly launched its services in Abuja on January 24, 2023, and in Lagos on January 26, 2023. At launch, the services were targeted at six cities – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna.”
“He stated, “The Commission has continued to monitor the progress of rollout by MAFAB and has regularly briefed about the status of infrastructure deployment for service offerings as conditioned in its operating license.”
