Telecom
NCC Boss, Danbatta Confirmed to Deliver the 2021 Bullion Lecture
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman/chief executive officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is the distinguished personality to deliver the 2021 edition of The Bullion Lecture.
Danbatta will speak on the theme: ‘Telecoms, Digital Banking and Nigeria’s Economic Development.’ at the annual Lecture scheduled to hold by 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Danbatta, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Nigerian Academy of Engineering (FAEng.), Renewable and Alternative Energy Society (FRAES) and Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (FNIEEE), is an erudite engineer, philanthropist, and a nation builder per excellence.
An astute administrator and a renowned scholar, Danbatta holds BEng and MSc degrees from the Technical University of Wroclaw in Poland, and PhD from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, The United Kingdom.
Until his appointment as the country’s chief telecoms regulator in 2015, Danbatta was a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Bayero University, Kano, for 32 years, where he taught courses in telecommunications engineering and electronics, and held academic positions of Dean of the Faculty and Head of Department at different times.
Prof. Danbatta has also supervised more than 60 PhD, MEng and BEng projects in diverse areas of telecommunications and has also served as external examiner to seven universities and polytechnics and is an assessor, technical reviewer and editorial member to eight research journals.
He has to his credit more than 50 articles in journals, conference proceedings and technical reports in addition to being the author of a six-chapter, 167-page book titled: Elements of Static Engineering Electromagnetics.
The Bullion Lecture is a platform conceptualised by the Centre for Financial Journalism (CFJ Nigeria) for lively and professional discourse on national and international issues.
Ray Echebiri, founder/chief executive officer of CFJ Nigeria, said the lecture will be chaired by the President, Africa FinTech Network and former President/Chairman of Council, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Dr. Segun Aina.
Distinguished panelists, who will dissect the lecture, are Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Mrs. Chizor Malize and the Executive Director, SystemSpecs Limited, Mr. Aderemi Atanda.
Expected guests at the lecture include government officials, captains of industry, banking industry executives, Information and Communication Technology ICT) professionals, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of multilateral institutions, senior media executives, and other journalists, and members of the public. Participation at the lecture will be virtual and in-person.
Nigeria is set to receive telecommunications equipment and fibre optic infrastructure worth $3 billion in June 2025, according to Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Speaking during a panel session at the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) organised by the World Bank, Tijani revealed that the equipment valued at $1 billion was expected to arrive in the country by mid-2025.
He added that an additional $2 billion worth of fibre optic cables would soon be delivered to boost Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.
According to him, the initiative aims to significantly enhance communication services across the country and bridge the connectivity gap.
Tijani also noted that a pilot phase targeting over 20 million Nigerians who currently lack access to any form of telecommunications would soon be launched.
The Nigeria Development Update (NDU) is a bi-annual World Bank report that assesses the country’s recent economic and social developments, policy directions, and provides recommendations to address emerging challenges.
Legend Internet Plc has launched FTTR by Legend — Nigeria’s first Fibre-to-the-Room (FTTR) service, redefining the standard for broadband connectivity across homes and businesses.
“Being listed on NGX is just the beginning, With FTTR by Legend, we are building the infrastructure of the future, today — not just to improve connectivity, but to transform how people live, work, and create”, said Aisha Abdulaziz, CEO of Legend Internet Plc.
This groundbreaking innovation was deployed by Legend, with strategic technology support from global telecommunications leader- Huawei. The result is a seamless digital experience that meets the demands of modern living.
The launch of FTTR follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Legend Internet and Huawei Technologies.
“Our collaboration with Huawei reflects our commitment to global standards and local innovation. Unlike traditional broadband that stops at the router, FTTR by Legend brings pure fibre into every room, offering zero lag, full-house coverage, and the performance needed for smart homes, remote work, creators, and tech-forward enterprises.
The collaboration is aimed at accelerating broadband infrastructure development, enhancing local capacity, and positioning Nigeria as a digital leader in Africa. Huawei brings decades of R&D in fibre optic and smart home technology to support Legend in deploying this state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Coming on the heels of its recent listing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited(NGX), Legend Internet PLC shows no signs of slowing down. The company is celebrating its public debut with a landmark product — one that delivers ultra-high-speed fibre into every room of a building, enabling uninterrupted, gigabit-speed internet at all times.
Legend Internet’s entry into fibre-to-the-room solutions is part of a broader ambition to close the digital divide in Nigeria. While FTTR by Legend is currently being offered exclusively to high-end residences, the company plans to scale and democratize access through complementary solutions over time. This aligns with Legend’s dual-market approach.
In broadband, Legend leverages fibre optics to deliver ultra-high-speed internet directly to consumers, with a focus on reliability, speed, and innovation. In fintech, the company is expanding last-mile payment infrastructure and delivering secure, scalable tools including wallets, merchant solutions, and digital financial platforms for everyday use.
Legend’s mission is clear: to power Nigeria’s digital future — through cutting-edge technology, bold thinking, and local-first execution.
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy,” describing it as a bold step toward accelerating Nigeria’s industrial revolution and economic growth.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, commended the policy’s prioritization of locally made goods and indigenous solutions in government procurement.
He said the directive would empower local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and technology innovators by giving them the necessary support to thrive.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favor of local suppliers, we anticipate a significant increase in patronage of Nigerian-made products,” Mr. Halilu said.
“Government is a major buyer of goods and services, and this move will translate into increased demand across key sectors.”
Describing the policy as “forward-thinking and revolutionary,” Mr. Halilu noted that NASENI has long championed local content through its own initiatives.
He highlighted products developed by the agency, ranging from Nigerian-assembled vehicles and energy systems to smart irrigation tools and electronic devices, as evidence of the quality and competitiveness of local manufacturing.
He further referenced NASENI’s ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings held across the country, aimed at driving awareness and understanding of consumer attitudes toward local products.
These forums bring together experts, regulators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and civil society actors to identify challenges and promote solutions for increasing local patronage.
“We are determined to be at the forefront of implementing the President’s vision,” Mr. Halilu stated. “But this is also a call to action for local producers.
“It is not enough to enjoy policy support, quality and standards must never be compromised.
“We must deliver products that compete favourably with imports and meet the needs of Nigerian consumers.”
NASENI, mandated to develop Nigeria’s science and engineering infrastructure, has been engaging stakeholders across states including Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun to boost innovation, address manufacturing challenges, and encourage the adoption of homegrown solutions.
President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” directs the BPP to implement procurement reforms that prioritize local content and maintain a register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.
Mr. Halilu concluded by affirming NASENI’s readiness to lead the charge: “We have seen the capacity and competence of our local manufacturers.
“They are ready. With the right support, we can achieve true industrialization powered by Nigerian solutions.”
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