By Waziri Isa Adam (Group Editor-in-chief)
A distinguished Professor of Law, Prof. M T Ladan has been appointed as the legal/regulatory and licensing expert/consultant by a consortium of European consulting companies as part of the 8 member team of experts drawn from Hungary, USA, Germany, Kenya and Nigeria.
This team of experts will conduct 2 studies on the European Union-funded project in support of Nigeria’s initiative under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to deploy telecoms infrastructure of 90,000 km fibre optics cables network for enhanced internet broadband penetration and improved digital literacy as well as a virile digital economy in Nigeria by 2027.
Prof. Ladan’s team met from 3 to 7 February 2025 at an inception week/high stakeholder engagement with 3 ministers of Communications & DE (Mr Bosun Tijjani), Minister of State Education (Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad), Minister of Women Affairs (Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim), and a total of 7 CEOs.
The meeting was an opportunity for the team to engage with key stakeholders and discuss the project’s objectives and expected outcomes.
The 4 CEOs under the Ministry of Communications include the DGs of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and Galaxy Backbone Ltd (GBB).
This team of experts is well-equipped to handle the task at hand, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the project.
The CEOs under the Ministry of Communications, Prof. Ladan’s team also engaged with 3 CEOs of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This diverse group of experts brings a wealth of knowledge to the project, ensuring that all aspects of the project are carefully considered and managed.
The team also had the opportunity to engage with the World Bank-Nigeria Country Office, African Development Bank (AfDB), and the team of EU Delegation to Nigeria & ECOWAS.
This level of international cooperation is a testament to the importance of this project, which aims to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s digital economy.
As a renowned expert in his field, Prof. Ladan is well-suited to guide the team of experts. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable in ensuring the success of this project.
With his team, he will conduct two studies on the project, which will provide valuable insights into the deployment of telecoms infrastructure in Nigeria.
The project aims to deploy 90,000 km of fibre optics cables network, which will enhance internet broadband penetration and improve digital literacy in Nigeria.
This will have a significant impact on the country’s digital economy, making it more vibrant and competitive. With Prof. Ladan on the team of experts and consultants, this project is sure to achieve its goals and make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s digital landscape.