The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has committed over N500 million for research and innovations to tertiary institutions across the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta disclosed this at a two-day regional roundtable with academia, industry and other stakeholders held in Kano State
In a statement issued by the Director Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka, Danbatta said research grants would promote developments in the Nigerian telecommunications industry
According to Professor Danbatta, the Commission is now focused on supporting the academia in the commercialisation of the prototypes from innovative researches as this is relevant to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s policy towards achieving indigenous technology for sustainable development
He explained that the roundtable organized by the Commission was to provide the necessary platform to support the commercialisation of locally- developed telecommunications innovations which NCC has been sponsoring.
“The Commission collaborates with the Academia in maximising the contributions of tertiary institutions to innovations and sustainable development of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry as finance is needed to drive possible success of these endeavours. “ Danbatta said.
The NCC Boss noted that these efforts has enabled the Commission to contribute ensure the overall growth of the industry and create wealth for innovators, adding that they are fundamental to the objective of the NCC’s R&D-oriented programmes.
Danbatta said appreciable impacts had been achieved since the Commission reinvigorated research grants for telecommunications-based innovations from Nigerian institutions
NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr Ubale Maska, also disclosed that the Commission, has so far awarded 49 telecom- based research grants to the academia out of which 10 prototypes were successfully developed and displayed to industry stakeholders.
He said the R&D efforts of the Commission were aimed at actualizing some of the 8-point Pillar Eight of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-2030, which focuses on indigenous content development and adoption.
PIAK
