*The Nigerian Communications Commission has organised the maiden prototype and research exposition to showcase about 10 prototypes developed from the Commission鈥檚 sponsored Telecommunications-Based Research Innovation Projects in the Nigerian universities

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given a concrete expression to the Federal Government鈥檚 drive to promote indigenous innovative technologies in the telecommunications sector of the country’s economy.

绿帽献妻 reports the NCC stated that it recently demonstrated this by organising the maiden prototype and research exposition aimed at showcasing about 10 prototypes, arising from its sponsored Telecommunications-Based Research Innovation Projects in the Nigerian universities.

R-L: Prof. Akande; Prof. Pantami; Prof. Danbatta, and Mr. Nwankwo interacting with a technology innovator at the exposition, in Abuja.

The country鈥檚 telecoms sector regulatory Commission selected 10 prototypes for exhibition as outputs of its telecoms research project during the two-day event held February 21-22, 2022, at the NCC鈥檚 Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Head Office Annex, in Mbora District, in Abuja, FCT.

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, disclosed that the 10 top prototypes include Multiple operators’ enabled SIM, GSM communication-based walking cane robot, Powerline communications module, Home-grown electrical power charger, Low-cost GSM telephone system, Wireless power transfer device, Vital sign monitor, Plastic optical fibre cable, Wearable E-band tracker, and a Software-based nomadic base station.

The telecoms regulator said: 鈥淭he Commission is implementing the research and prototype exposition as a way of encouraging the commercialising of the prototypes, as an influential platform for universities, professionals and industry experts to come together, share information and build long-lasting business relationships.鈥�

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The Commission noted that Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy (FMCoDE), at the event stated through the NCC鈥檚 telecoms-based research and prototype exposition, 鈥渢he indigenous technological capabilities of Nigerians will be fully appreciated, harnessed, and utilised towards stimulating the overall productivity and sustainability of the telecommunications industry.鈥�

Prof. Pantami emphasised that research is considered a necessary condition for the technological development of any nation and backbone of the communications industry, because it is the building block for the future development of advanced telecommunications products and services.

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The Minister also tasked the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to work with NCC to support indigenous technology development to solve national challenges in future.

Pantami commended the Commission鈥檚 Board and Management for facilitating the delivery of the lofty policy targets contained in the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content (NPPIC) 2021.

An interaction with another innovator at the event

He as聽 well 聽applauded the recipients of the Commission鈥檚 grants for the display of already developed prototypes for the knowledge of the industry stakeholders.

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Earlier in his address on the occasion, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman of NCC Board of Commissioners, declared that the Commission would continue to provide the enabling environment to bridge the gap in the significant tripartite relationship among the academia, industry, and the government.

Prof. Akande further encouraged participants to support NCC鈥檚 initiative to succeed, as businesses will emerge, and sustainable jobs will be available for our young graduates on account of these new developments.

In his address, Prof .Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, reinforced the Commission鈥檚 commitment to discharging its role as an active regulator to drive the indigenous content development component of the country鈥檚 telecoms sector.

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The EVC/CEO reiterated the significance of building the indigenous technological capacities of Nigerians through partnerships with the relevant stakeholders.

Danbatta stated: “The Commission has awarded grants to successful academic institutions to develop Working Prototype and Telecommunications-led Products capable of addressing industry needs and providing overall sustainability, fully-developed and ready-for-the-first phase of market entry.鈥�

The NCC Chief also asserted that 鈥渋t is important to have a commercialisation strategy to transit from rudimentary research into the market to address the local challenges and reduce the over-dependence on imported innovations and technologies with the attendant drain on the nations scarce foreign exchange.

鈥淭his is what this programme hopes to achieve to maximise the full potential of academia in contributing to the steady growth of the telecoms industry in Nigeria.鈥�

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