This year’s event tagged: “Academia, Accelerator For Innovation, Industry Growth And Sustainability” was graced by 61 Vice Chancellors from across Nigeria’s Universities.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who delivered the Keynote address, noted the importance of engaging the Academia in the Telecommunications industry towards developing local/ innovative technologies and solutions that can address our peculiar needs and sensibilities. Prof. Danbatta stated that the telecoms industry continues to grow amidst noticeable challenges, hitting over 163 million voice subscriber base, with a foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow from 2001 standing at $67 billion and expected to grow in the coming years.
He added that the Commission had approved a document detailing its engagement with Tech Hubs in Nigerian Universities as well as various Tech Preneurship efforts springing up in different parts of the country as smart businesses and start- ups enterprises and, that the Commission would soon flag off University Challenges and Inter -universities Tech Competitions in campuses to encourage growth and development in the sector.
Also speaking at the event was the NCC’s Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska, who stated that the Commission would continue to identify and provide research grants to outstanding initiatives that contribute to the growth of the Telecommunications sector.
The NCC’s Director of Research and Development, Mrs. Abigail Sholanke , who gave the closing remarks, thanked every member of the Academia for finding the time to participate in the Forum and noted that the Commission would continue to push towards greater height towards supporting the Academia.