Research & Development
The Research and Development (R&D) activities of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) involve conducting and supporting cutting edge research into emerging technologies that promote the better understanding of trends in the Telecommunications industry, and provide information/data to support the development of necessary strategies, standards and guidelines, and championing telecommunications-based innovations that provide life changing solutions to societal challenges.
To this end, the R&D Department of the NCC provides grants to support research by leading academics and researchers from Nigerian tertiary institutions, and holds regular competitions e.g. "Hackathons" open to technology hubs and Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDE) to stimulate innovation and development in the telecommunications and digital economy sector in Nigeria.
Click here for the List of Telecommunications Based Research Projects
Click here for the List of Professorial Chairs
Click here for the List of Consultancy Studies
Click here for the List of Competition Winners
The impact of the ICT revolution is now evident in virtually all countries, Nigeria, inclusive. Hence, the phenomenal global transition toward a "digital economy" with an estimated worth of $11.5 trillion globally. Today in Nigeria, it is estimated that there are about 210-250 FinTech operators/companies operating in the Nigerian space, and these players have brought about the valuation of the industry to $153.1 million in 2017 and is projected to rise up to $543.3 million by 2022.
This study therefore intends to address and/or proffer possible practical and lasting solutions to the aforementioned challenges and problems regarding data and FinTech and its role in the development of the digital economy with Nigerian firms as a case study.
Understanding how Financial Institutions work and their willingness to adapt to trending technologies, partnership or funding FinTech firms, would propel rapid development of the Nigerian digital economy. Also, the results of the research would aid Regulatory decision making which is envisaged to lead to improved ICT infrastructure, reduce the number of the unbanked population, and foster increased due diligence and protection of citizens' data.
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Emerging Role Of Data And Fintech In The Development Of Digital Economy
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The NCC has over the years licensed many ISPs but findings show that not all are still in business. Internet Service Providers in the Nigerian telecommunications industry have been struggling to stay afloat due to challenges confronting their market to remain in business, expand operations and post profit after every financial year. As ISPs serve as the gateway to the internet and a digitized world, it is imperative to understand the reason for their demise as it has impact on the digitization agenda of Nigeria.
The objectives of this study are; to examine the challenges facing Internet Service Providers and their survivability in Nigeria, to identify the problems, challenges and prospects of the internet service sector, to find out the determinant factors that affect the expansion (growth) of the sector, to look at the reason why Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are failing in Nigeria, and to examine the contemporary positions and challenges faced by the ISPs in Nigeria and the nature of how they have continued to serve as obstacles to their survivability.
Technological penetration is the rate at which a specific technical innovation becomes adopted into the everyday life of individuals within a social group. One of the indices by which a nation’s growth and advancement can be measured is by technological endowment and penetration, not by the level of her endowment in natural and human resources.
This Research specifically examines the various challenges of technology penetration in Nigeria due to requisite infrastructure deficit and the role Public Private Partnerships and Government can play in closing the gap if a conducive environment is created. It also identifies factors that may threaten its success, as well as, policy frameworks that will enhance its success and suitability in Nigeria.
Due to serious complaints of unsolicited text messages by the Consumers the Nigerian Communications Commission as a foremost Regulator, after various efforts at mitigating the problem, issued a Direction to the Mobile Network Operators with effect from July 1, 2016, to activate the “DO NOT DISTURB” facility which gives Subscribers the freedom to choose to receive or not to receive Promotional messages from the various networks and other telemarketers through their phones. With this Direction, the Operators were mandated to dedicate a common Short Code (2442) which will provide Subscribers control to reject all promotional SMS and calls (Full DND), or from only select categories of telemarketers (partial DND).
The purpose of this Research is to study the impact of DND service ‘2442’ short code in effective telecoms consumer complaints management.
There are over 40 different taxes and levies meted out upon the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) carrying out telecoms services in Nigeria. Although these taxes serve as critical sources of revenue for the various tiers of Government in Nigeria, there are nonetheless severe national consequences of over-taxation. Over taxation limits the prospects of rollout of a National digital economy’s because it impedes network expansion efforts by Telecoms Operators and hinders further build out advancements and investments. It also limits Operator efforts at mobile penetration and digital inclusion as some of these taxes are being passed to consumers.
The aim of this research is to establish the quantum of charges on Telecoms companies in Nigeria by State Governments and examine its effect on the Access Gap per State and in turn, the National Digital Economy Agenda.