By Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has assured Nigerians that the country’s telecom regulations are ready to handle the challenges that come with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Pantami made this statement at the Stakeholders Consultative Forum on the IoT Regulatory Roadmap, organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The event also marked the launch of two books written by Pantami.
He mentioned that Nigeria is prepared to tap into IoT’s potential, citing a reduction in cybercrime over the past two years as proof. Pantami stressed the importance of consultations like these, as global IoT devices are expected to reach 46.1 billion by 2025, generating 79.4 zettabytes of data.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, explained that the commission regularly engages with experts to ensure Nigeria’s regulations are well-suited for emerging technologies like IoT.
Pantami also pointed out that IoT plays a vital role in boosting productivity, cutting down on waste, and enabling quicker decision-making by analyzing vast amounts of data.
During the event, Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), praised Nigeria’s role in international telecommunications, noting Pantami’s leadership, including his recent role at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva.
Pantami’s second book, Cybersecurity: Initiatives for Securing a Country, was reviewed by Prof. Mike Hinchey of the University of Limerick. He commended the book, noting that it signals Africa’s active involvement in creating content for the global ICT industry.
