50% increase in tariff necessary for sustainability of telecoms industry – FG
The Minister of Communications, innovation and Digital Economy,
Bosun Tijani has defended the approved 59 per cent tariff hike for telecommunications companies by the federal government, saying this will help to sustain the industry.
Tijani made this known on Saturday at the maiden Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) summit, held in Ibadan.
The Informant247 reports that on January 20, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted approval to telcos for a 50 per cent tariff hike.
Speaking on the move, Tijani said, “The new tariff would allow telecommunication companies to be able to invest in new infrastructure and improve connectivity”.
On infrastructure, the minister urged Nigerian youths to drive technological progress as the present administration provides the necessary amenities.
“The biggest challenge for governments is individuals,” he said.
“As we invest in infrastructure to drive the progress of technology, we need individuals, we need innovators, we need entrepreneurs to actually build the technologies.
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“Governments cannot build the progress that we want to build. What governments will build is the foundation for that progress to happen.”
Tijani said the future of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria has already been made known, adding that the productivity and prosperity that nations want to build will come from the smart application of AI.
He said the government’s role is to continue to invest in infrastructure that would enable technological progress and make it happen.
On his part, Aderemi Oseni, chairman of the house committee on federal road maintenance agency, underscored the importance of identifying and developing capacities in technology for youths.
Oseni said creating opportunities in technology would help reduce the high unemployment rate among youths.
Source: TheCable
