Nigeria Ranks 11th Globally in Internet Penetration and 7th in Mobile Usage

Nigerian Telecommunications Commission unveiled Nigeria's global standings in the realm of digital connectivity. The country emerged as the 11th in the world for internet penetration and an impressive 7th in mobile phone usage. These rankings underscore the nation's role as a telecommunications powerhouse. The revelation was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta, during the inauguration of the two-day Emerging Technology Forum for the Telecommunications Industry in Abuja.

Articulating this crucial shift in digital dynamics, Prof Umar Danbatta, speaking through Abraham Oshadami, head of Spectrum Database Management at NCC, emphasized the global need for digital transformation. The imperative arises from the potential to optimize the socio-economic impact of the digital era. Data gathered by the NRI (Network Readiness Index) team was pivotal in highlighting the worldwide resonance of this transformational need. The NRI meticulously examined 131 economies through four key lenses: technology infrastructure, governance, people, and the resulting impact.

Prof Umar Danbatta remarked, “Nigeria is a telecommunications powerhouse, accounting for 82 per cent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 per cent of the continent’s internet consumption.”

“Our country ranks eleventh in the world for internet penetration and seventh in mobile phone usage.

“The NRI team’s global data shows that digital transformation is a global imperative for maximizing the social and economic effects of the digital era.

Nigeria's Network Readiness Index: Balancing Metrics and Challenges

In the midst of these promising statistics, Danbatta acknowledged that Nigeria's Network Readiness Index ranking of 109th out of 131 countries for 2022 posed both humbling and challenging aspects. He underscored the importance of prioritizing network preparedness as a strategic mandate for driving social and economic development. While acknowledging the potential of digital transformation, he also cautioned against its inadvertent creation of new inequalities. This risk could impede the younger generation's engagement in the digital economy. Nonetheless, he firmly believed in the transformative power of digital readiness at all income levels.

Highlighting the evolving landscape of formal education and the importance of informed policymaking, Danbatta emphasized the crucial role of accessible reskilling and upskilling opportunities. Such opportunities would ensure inclusivity and sustainability in economies and societies. As the NRI serves as a guiding metric for measuring ICT's role and impact, Danbatta urged innovation, strategic investments, and the nurturing of a growth-friendly ecosystem.

Calling the platform a gateway to innovative and disruptive solutions, Danbatta implored stakeholders to utilize this opportunity to research emerging technologies and envision their applications. Collaborating with global experts and embracing best practices could pave the way for an array of future possibilities. 

His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Chidi Diugwu, Head of New Media and Information Security at NCC. Diugwu urged stakeholders to leverage NRI insights in shaping policies, investments, and collaborations. He foresaw that investments in human capital and innovation would unlock opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and establish an inclusive digital future for Nigeria.

Ubale Maska, the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services at NCC, emphasized the significance of the Network Readiness Index in gauging Nigeria's adaptation to global digital transitions. Maska noted, "NRI is a powerful measure of how the country is adjusting to the global digital transformation, and it will help us track our progress and place on the global digital train."

He added, "This forum seeks to investigate the various barriers and key drivers of emerging technologies in the Nigerian telecommunications industry."