By 
Matters eRising with Olusegun Oruame
On the eve of Nigeria’s August Protest, the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) held its highly anticipated one-day Strategic Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja.
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The event marked an important step forward in fostering dialogue between government actors and the private ICT sector
Despite the looming threat of national unrest, the event attracted a significant number of high-ranking officials from both state and federal levels, demonstrating the importance of the discussions at hand.
The meeting saw a robust presence from the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as agencies like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Notably, there was also a strong turnout of state officials, including Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants, Director Generals of ICT agencies, and Permanent Secretaries from over 20 states. This underscored the critical need for synergy between operators and state governments to optimize the benefits of ICT for citizens.
The event marked an important step forward in fostering dialogue between government actors and the private ICT sector.
The states want to engage with operators and are willing to promote a synergy to optimise the benefits of ICT to their citizens working closely with operators.
Representatives of ICT companies expressed their grievances about multiple taxation, right-of-way issues, and infrastructure security, highlighting the need for cooperation between ICT companies and local governments. For instance, the Cross River State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Justin Beshel, revealed that the state has a single tax platform to eliminate multiple tax points and supports operators with a Build-One policy and infrastructure framework.
Discussions also touched on the importance of clear communication and streamlined processes for obtaining operational permits. Several state officials, like the Special Adviser on ICT to the Ogun State Governor, Dayo Abiodun, stressed the need for direct engagement with state governments to facilitate business operations.
Abiodun emphasized that operators can secure swift responses to their requests by adhering to the appropriate channels, such as addressing correspondence directly to the Governor’s Office and to his own office. However, some participants argued that this approach seemed overly narrow. They suggested that a more institutionalized and comprehensive framework would offer greater efficiency and certainty in obtaining operational permits and approvals from government offices.
Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Innovation & Business Incubation, along with Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, highlighted that Anambra State has already established a robust framework for engagement. They noted that the state has clear policies in place to enhance the ease of doing business, and it is now up to the operators to leverage these opportunities.
The most significant outcome of the meeting was ATCON’s success in establishing a channel for effective communication between operators and state governments, facilitating the resolution of some of the sector’s most challenging issues.
The event marked an important step forward in fostering dialogue between government actors and the private ICT sector. ATCON President Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere highlighted the association’s commitment to bridging the gap between operators and state governments, ensuring mutual understanding and action for the sector’s development.
Despite the challenges, the ICT sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP surged above 13.5% in Q4 2023, indicating significant opportunities for growth. The ATCON meeting demonstrated that progress could be accelerated through enhanced collaboration between operators and state governments.  Even its critics will admit that the  initiative has successfully opened a channel for effective communication, paving the way for a more cooperative and efficient ICT sector in Nigeria.
Perhaps, more than anything else, the gathering highlighted that operators require support beyond the federal government to achieve their business objectives, and ongoing dialogue is crucial for building an industry that benefits all stakeholders. ATCON’s initiative to foster this communication is a commendable step towards that goal.
