Nigerian Communication Commission Creates a Digital Economy Department

• The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the establishment of a Digital Economy Department, which will focus on supporting the federal government’s digital economic plan.
• The newly formed Digital Economy Department will be headed by Engr. Babagana Digima under the NCC’s Executive Vice President’s office.
• The NCC’s Executive Vice President, Prof. Umar Danbatta,  commended the move by the commission to drive the digital economy strategy of the government.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorised the establishment of a Digital Economy Department, which will be responsible for supporting the federal government ‘s digital economic plan.

This department will, among other things, renew the strategy of the commission to implement its programmes and policies and provide the requisite impetus to promote the digital economy across the country.

In a press statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and released by NCC on Tuesday night, the commission announced that its Governing Board had approved the formation of a new department structurally under the NCC Executive Vice President’s Office.

According to the Executive Vice-President, Prof. Umar Danbatta (pictured above), the decision to put the newly created department under the EVC’s Office also underlines the “importance the Commission places on the need to successfully drive the overall national digital economy strategy of the government through ensuring its effective monitoring and supervision.”

All Special Duties Department team members are relocating to the newly formed Digital Economy Department. Which will be headed by Engr. Babagana Digima will be leaving his role as the Special Duties Department assistant director.

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Danbatta stated that the department will be led by the Commission’s broadband implementing unit, the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) document.

The eight pillars covered include Development Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Solid Infrastructure; Service Infrastructure; Soft Infrastructure; Creation and Promotion of Digital Services; Digital Society and Emerging Technologies; and Production and Adoption of Indigenous Content.

President Muhammadu Buhari launched the NDEPS in November 2019 as a roadmap for the national digital economy which will contribute to the Nigeria Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).