TheCable

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) says the reforms introduced by Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, will solve many problems in the telecommunications sector.

CISS in its assessment report of the communications sector under President Bola Tinubu, also lauded the efforts of the minister as well as Aminu Maida, the executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the initiatives they have introduced.

The report, which was signed by Thomas Uzah, executive director of Coalition for Democracy and Development in Africa (CDDA), lauded the minister for convincing the president to sign four executive orders, including the suspension of the five percent excise tax on telecommunication services.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is consolidating on these gains as part of his promised renewed hope,” the report reads

“His appointment of an experienced young Nigerian in the person of Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communication and Digital Economy has yielded fruits with the reforms introduced by the ministry since his assumption of duty.

“He got the President to sign an executive order to suspend multiple taxation that has stifled business in the sector. The administration has rolled out many initiatives that, if implemented diligently will turn things around in the communication sector.

“Efforts are in place in human capacity development with the training of young men and women in ICT while also improving internet accessibility for Nigerians. The reforms introduced under the auspices of Dr Dr Bosun Tijani if sustained will solve many of the problems witnessed in the sector.”

In the report, CISS also acknowledged the importance of the national broadband alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) in fostering collaboration for broadband development and adoption to position the country at the forefront of the global digital landscape.

The centre recommended that the NCC should revamp stakeholder engagement across the country and urged the federal government to address the cost of doing business in the country and invest massively in infrastructure, especially the power sector.