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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a new plan to improve the country’s telecommunications sector between 2021 and 2025. The plan, called the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), is aimed at speeding up digital development and building on the progress made since the sector was opened up to competition.
How Nigeria’s telecom sector has grown
In 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, there were only 18,724 telephone lines for a population of 40 million people. This meant that only about 1 in every 2,000 people had access to a telephone. Most of the telephone exchanges at that time were manual and outdated.
By 1985, the country had 200,000 telephone lines—far below the target of 460,000. By the year 2000, there were about 700,000 lines, but only 400,000 were in use. Nigeria’s telecom services lagged behind those of many African countries.
Things started to change after the NCC was set up in 1992. The government encouraged private companies to enter the market, and by 2001, licenses were given to mobile operators, ending the dominance of the state-owned NITEL.
The numbers today
The results of deregulation have been remarkable. By July 2022, Nigeria had 209 million active telecom subscribers compared to just 400,000 in 2000. Broadband subscriptions have reached 85 million, representing 44.49% penetration, and internet access has become widespread.
Telecommunications now contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy. In the second quarter of 2022, the ICT sector added 18.44% to the country’s GDP, with telecom alone accounting for 15%. Investments in the industry have also grown from less than $500 million in 2001 to over $70 billion.
What’s next?
The new plan focuses on five key areas, including improving broadband access, promoting fair competition, enhancing service quality, and encouraging partnerships. The NCC also plans to ensure that the progress is tracked and challenges are addressed along the way.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the head of the NCC, called on the media to support these efforts by reporting on the achievements and helping identify problems. He emphasized that the telecom sector is central to Nigeria’s growth and will continue to play a vital role in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other industries.
The NCC’s ultimate goal is to create a digital economy where people and businesses can thrive, and technologies like 5G will make everyday activities faster and more efficient.
