The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set for its second edition of the Emerging Telecoms Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Forum designed for the North-West Region.
The summit, planned for Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano State from the 14th-15th of August, 2019, will come with the theme: “Developing Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem; Imperative for Improving Local Content.”
According to the NCC, the forum is in line with the Commission’s commitment to promoting ICT innovation and investment opportunities and facilitating strategic collaboration and partnership.
The Commission said the Forum presents a unique opportunity for NCC to bring together key players/actors in the Nigerian tech-ecosystem to deliberate and suggest policy, framework/strategy that could further develop the sector, thereby serving as a catalyst for improving local content in ICT/Telecommunication sector.
Schedules made available to Business Hilights showed that first day of the two-day summit will for identifying the gaps in the ICT/Telecoms sector, and strengthening the collaboration between stakeholders and the Commission. The second day will have a breakout session to discuss possible solution to the identified gaps.
The lead paper presentation on the theme “Developing Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem; Imperative for Improving Local Content” will be delivered by Dr. Chris Uwaje, Africa Chair, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Internet of Things (IEEE IoT).
Other stakeholders participating in the Forum have been slated as panelists in a discourse focused on: “Digital Skills Imperative for Retooling National Workforce and Developing Capacities for Future Work, Innovation Hubs as the Fulcrum of Local Content Development, Digital Inclusion, Employment and National Survivability”. Further discussion will also take place on the topic: “Legislative and Government Support for Enhancing Tech Eco System in Nigeria”
The panel chairs for the three segments include: Prof. G. Aderounmu, Dean Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof. S B Junaid, Head Computer Science Department, Ahmadu Bello Univeristy Zaria, Kaduna State, and Engr Haru Alhassan, Director, New Media and Information Department of NCC.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, is expected to address the gathering comprising of stakeholders drawn from the Nigerian Tech ecosystem; Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Tech hubs. Professional Associations in the ICT sector, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Consumer Advocacy Group and the financial sector will also be in attendance.
