NODIT Has Aided Dev’t, Indigenous Participation in Telcoms, Says NCC

NODIT Has Aided Dev’t, Indigenous Participation in Telcoms, Says NCC

THE Nigerian Communications commission has attributed significant developments and increased indigenous participation in the nation’s telecommunications industry to the Nigeria Office for Development in Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NODIT).

The agency noted that the 100 per cent local manufacturing of SIM cards used in the country, grants as well as other key innovations in the pipeline have been made possible by NCC’s leveraging on NODIT.

Head of New Media and Information Security, Babagana Digima stated this at a training for media executives in Lagos, tagged ‘Upskilling Media Stakeholders on Trends in Telecommunications’.

Digima said the commission’s commitment to encouraging local content and indigenous participation in the industry received a massive boost with the arrival of NODIT.

He said: “Indigenous participation is one of the key areas NODIT has played a major role. As recent as two years ago, almost 99 per cent of SIM cards used in Nigeria were imported. But when NODIT came, we made it one of our key low-hanging fruits that in five to six months, SIM cards will be manufactured locally.

We directed all the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to source their SIM cards locally. And this has been working since. As at now, 100 per cent of the SIM cards used in Nigeria are manufactured locally, no more importation. ”

Digima added the commission is also advocating to encourage indigenous participation in all aspects of Telecommunications. According to him, NODIT has provided grants and incentives to some companies to ensure the industry develops.

“We are currently sponsoring the manufacturing of Corrugated Ordinal Duct, and the company that will be established will be the first in Africa to manufacture such kind of product.

“We also encourage tower manufacture,  fibre manufacture, and have been in touch with Coleman Cables, which are currently manufacturing fibre cables.They have overtaken the only company in Egypt in manufacturing capacity and they are expanding. I am sure a lot of companies are very happy with what we have done, ” he added.