The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for wider broadband access and greater digital inclusion as Nigeria looks to build on the gains of the telecommunications revolution 25 years after the introduction of GSM services.
Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman of the NCC, made the call through his representative, Mojisola Saraki, at the 12th edition of the eWorld Forum in Lagos on Thursday. The event, themed “The GSM Digital Milestones: 25 Years On”, was organised to mark 25 years of GSM in Nigeria and featured the launch of books documenting the country’s telecommunications journey.
Maida said the introduction of GSM fundamentally changed communication in Nigeria, where access to telephone services had previously been limited by scarce lines and high costs. The expansion of mobile networks subsequently moved telecommunications from a service largely associated with privilege to an everyday tool used by millions of Nigerians.
The impact of the mobile revolution has extended beyond voice calls, with SMS, mobile internet and smartphones creating new channels for accessing information and digital services. Telecommunications has consequently become an important foundation for banking, commerce, education, entertainment, entrepreneurship and other areas of economic activity.
The growth of mobile connectivity has also supported the emergence of a wider digital ecosystem involving telecom operators, infrastructure companies, fintech firms, technology businesses, software developers and digital platforms. Businesses increasingly rely on mobile connectivity to reach customers, manage operations and provide services.
According to Maida, the 25-year milestone should therefore be viewed not only as an opportunity to reflect on the industry’s achievements but also to address the challenges that could shape its next phase.
He highlighted the need for continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure, wider broadband access, improved quality of service, affordability, cybersecurity and digital inclusion.
The NCC chief also pointed to emerging technologies including 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and the Internet of Things as areas that could further change Nigeria’s digital economy.
He said the focus should increasingly shift from simply connecting Nigerians to ensuring that connectivity provides access to opportunities in education, employment, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic participation.
The eWorld Forum also featured the launch of Nigeria’s GSM Revolution at 25: The Hall of Digital Pioneers and Players, authored by veteran ICT journalist Aaron Ukodie. The book documents the development of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry and the contributions of pioneers, regulators, operators, institutions and other stakeholders.
Twenty-five years after the arrival of GSM, mobile connectivity has evolved from primarily supporting voice communication to carrying data and enabling a growing range of digital and financial services.
The next phase of the sector will require Nigeria to deepen connectivity and expand access while ensuring that advances in telecommunications translate into broader participation in the country’s digital economy.
