Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has shared exciting news about the country’s Fifth Generation (5G) network.Â
Danbatta revealed that as of July 2023, the number of 5G subscribers in Nigeria has surged past half a million.
Speaking from Kano State, Danbatta highlighted another significant achievement: broadband penetration has soared to an impressive 47.01 percent.
He reminisced about the telecoms industry’s remarkable journey since 2015, a period that has witnessed substantial growth and progress.
During his address, Prof. Danbatta noted that 5G subscriptions alone had skyrocketed to over 60,000 in the nation, underscoring the rapid adoption of this cutting-edge technology.
Furthermore, he unveiled ambitious goals for Nigeria’s digital future: aiming for 50 percent broadband penetration by the close of 2023 and an even more ambitious 70 percent by 2025.
Danbatta shared, “Also, from 8 percent contribution to the Gross Domestic Product in 2015, the telecommunications sector now contributes 16 percent quarterly to the Nigerian economy as of the second quarter of 2023.” Such economic growth reflects the telecom sector’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s development.
Moreover, the NCC Chairman emphasized the expanding investment landscape, with the telecommunications sector’s investment profile having surged from $38 billion in 2015 to an impressive $75 billion, and continuing to grow.
The sale of 5G C-Band Spectrum alone has generated over $847.8 million for the Federal Government.
In tandem with this momentous progress, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, underlined Nigeria’s quest for partnerships to bolster telecommunication connectivity in underserved and unserved communities.
He highlighted the transformative power of connectivity as a catalyst for progress and emphasized the nation’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through strategic collaborations.
