Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Garba Danbatta, disclosed in Abuja, yesterday, that the telecoms sector contributed a whopping sum of ₦1.549 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy in the second quarter of 2017, representing 6.68 per cent increase from what was recorded in the first quarter of the year (₦1.452 trillion).
According to Sunnews, He revealed this while receiving the Chairperson of Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Madam Angelique Weeks, who paid him a courtesy visit.
Danbatta said the figures were derived from recently released Bureau of Statistics’ (NBSs’) report on the economy. The NBS report confirmed that the telecommunications sector contributed 9.5 per cent to the GDP during the second quarter of 2017, in comparison to 9.1 per cent contribution in the first quarter of the year.
Said he: “We are very proud of the remarkable contribution the sector is making. Even recently when the whole economy was facing challenges, the sector remained resilient and stable,” he told the visitor who was accompanied by a team of administrators from West Africa Telecommunication Regulators Association (WATRA).
The EVC also explained that the commission has noticed an increase in data usage in the country, saying, “the monthly data usage is about 40 million terabytes.”
He, however, expressed optimism that the country would undergo a massive ICT transformation by the time the excess data capacity at landing point in Lagos is deployed to the hinterland through licensing of infracos (infrastructure companies).
Danbatta further stated that the broadband penetration in the country, which currently stands at 21 per cent as Nigeria is inching toward 30 per cent penetration next year, is in line with its national broadband target.
He said the commission has approved spectrum trading consistent with an item of the eight-point agenda, optimising the use and benefits of spectrum, to ensure that no acquired spectrum is left un-utilised.