The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that local manufacturers have raked in over N55 billion on production of whole-body SIM cards since the ban on their importation.
The ban was announced at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE) last year.
Executive vice-chairman (EVC) of NCC, Umar Danbatta, disclosed this at the second edition of the NTICE in Lagos.
Danbatta was represented by Ubale Maska, the commission’s executive commissioner (technical service), said: “This ban has not only eased the burden on our demand for foreign exchange but has also created business in excess of N55 billion for the local SIM card manufacturers in Nigeria which in turn has created direct and indirect jobs,” he added.
Danbatta said by promoting indigenous content, Nigeria could boost economic growth.
He also urged the government to grant the telecommunications industry autonomy to enable it to thrive.
The EVC expressed the commitment of the agency towards the drive of the federal government to place the economy on a sustainable pedestal through all the necessary policies put in place.
He said the commission created the Nigeria Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) as a special-purpose vehicle to bring the vision to fulfilment.
“I am happy to inform you that NTICE is one of the achievements of NCC through NODITS because it has served not only to promote pillar number five (strategic partnering) of the strategic management plan SMP 2020-2024 of the commission,” the NCC boss said.
“The commission is equally committed to continuously supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and innovators to promote our talented young persons and ventures through angel investments, research and development support, exposure to investors and sponsorship to local and international tech events.”
Also speaking at the event, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), urged the federal government to consider granting the industry autonomy.
He said the industry’s success, especially in the most recent years, had been traced to its independence.
