The Telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development.  It is in this connection that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) welcomes the decision of the national telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its licensing processes and conditions.  The last such review is nearly 20 years ago. 

Since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that there hitherto not anticipate. Among the technological progress for instance, we have moved from 2G through 3G and now heading for the deployment of 5G. We are witnessing the update of artificial intelligence and internet of all things (IoT) both of which are major users of bandwidth. 

Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all.  One of the lessons that the COVID lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasing dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind. 

Although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet. At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than have of Nigeria are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well las licensing conditions. To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down. 

One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation. and promotion of digital literacy. This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc. 

We therefore call on the NCC to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks. 

We will however caution that this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the Government and Twitter. We urge that should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria 

YZ. Yaú, June 22, 2021

Executive Director 

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has released two books on how corruption has prolonged the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria and how Hate Speech fuels violence in the country.

The two books – “The Compromised State and Context” and “Content in Hate Speech: Discourse in Nigeria” – were presented to a reading audience by CITAD representative and one of the authors, Dr Hassana Ibrahim at the University of Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Ibrahim, a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri, disclosed that “The Compromised State” deals with how corruption is sustaining the insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria.

‘What we intend to do with the book is to enlighten all stakeholders in the conflict and members of the public to be aware that there are other issues that exacerbate the lack of ability to contain the insurgency and corruption is one of the major issues,’ she said.

She said the book was released to reach stakeholders including the governments of Borno State and affected northeast state, the federal government, military and other security agencies, international humanitarian organisations, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

She disclosed that the books were products of long time researches by scholars to unravel how the state was being compromised by corrupt practices which she noted, hamper all efforts to end the insecurity in the region. She said the researches were funded by McArthur Foundation.

The university don said lack of trust in the past distribution of relief to IDPs may have made the Borno governor personally share foods and other reliefs to victims of insurgency. He also identified some residents claiming to be IDPs to collect relief materials in camps for displaced persons as parts of corruption in the conflict in the northeast.

She said the research output was to help all those involved to ‘retrace their steps and do things the right way to end the was as soonest.’

She also urged political office holders and their supporters to eschew all forms of Hate Speech. She said Hate Speech could inflame anger, resentment and conflicts.

She appealed to the media to support peace-building efforts. She said the research work was funded by MacArthur Foundation, a global organisation that supports effective institution, development and peaceful society in many countries.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) says more than half of Nigerian people are not unconnected to Internet.

CITAD’s observation is coming as the nation’s telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) begins to review its licensing processes and conditions after nearly 20 years.

The Executive Director of the Centre, Mr Y. Z. Yau in a statement made available to ASHENEWS on Tuesday, said the telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development.

“At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than half of Nigerians are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

“Since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that there hitherto not anticipate.

“Among the technological progress for instance, we have moved from 2G through 3G and now heading for the deployment of 5G. We are witnessing the update of artificial intelligence and internet of all things (IoT) both of which are major users of bandwidth.

“Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all.  One of the lessons that the COVID lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasing dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind,” Yau stated.

According to him, “Although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet. At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than half of Nigerians are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

“Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well as licensing conditions. To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down.

“One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation and promotion of digital literacy. This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc,” CITAD further stressed.

The Centre called on the NCC “to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks,” while also cautioning that “this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms, which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the government and Twitter.

“We urge that it should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria,” it said.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE REVIEW OF TELECOMMUNICATION LICENSING FRAMEWORKS BY NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

The Telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development. It is in this connection that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) welcomes the decision of the national telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its licensing processes and conditions. The last such review is nearly 20 years ago.

Since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that there hitherto not anticipate. Among the technological progress for instance, we have moved from 2G through 3G and now heading for the deployment of 5G. We are witnessing the update of artificial intelligence and internet of all things (IoT) both of which are major users of bandwidth. Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all. One of the lessons that the COVID lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasing dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind.

Although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet. At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet.

This means more than have of Nigeria are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country. Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well as licensing conditions.

To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down. One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation and promotion of digital literacy.

This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc. We therefore call on the NCC to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks.

We will however caution that this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the Government and Twitter.

We urge that it should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria

Y. Z. Yaú,

Executive Director