According to the EVC, with Nigeria’s telecoms sector now worth $75.6 billion, the telephony industry, like many other industries, has a significant role to play in transitioning to a sustainable energy future, stressing that there is responsibility to ensure that the growth of the telecoms sector is achieved in a manner that is environmentally friendly and in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Consequently, he said that the introduction of the policy would encourage ethical energy sourcing in the telecommunications sector. Danbatta noted that the policy would serve as a framework for telecoms service providers to adopt clean and sustainable energy sources, reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a greener future.
“We believe that this policy will not only benefit the environment but also drive innovation and create new business opportunities within the industry.
“However, achieving our objectives requires collaboration and partnership with the academia and other stakeholders,” he said. According to Danbatta, academia plays a crucial role in advancing research and innovation that can transform industries”, the EVC said.
Danbatta further noted that the academia’s expertise, knowledge and insights would guide in developing feasible alternative sources of clean energy that the telecommunications industry could leverage for a sustainable energy supply.
The EVC noted that the Commission’s main goals were aimed at refocusing future academic research towards feasible alternative sources of clean energy that could be harnessed by the telecom industry.
According to him, it is essential to identify and explore new technologies, such as solar, wind, and biomass, that can power our communication infrastructure efficiently and sustainably.
“We need the research of the academia to help us understand the potential of these alternative energy sources, address their challenges, and develop strategies for their implementation in the telecoms sector.
“Secondly, we seek to promote research in academia that leverages digital technology to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians, “the EVC said.
The Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Pro. Abiodun Adebayo, stressed the need to diversify into alternative energy sources, noted that the energy problem, which was hitherto a national issue, has now become a global issue.
According to him, there is a need for telecoms operators to diversify, saying “current megawatt of electricity generated in the country today is a far cry from the capacity of the country and what is needed to serve the populace.
He called for more synergy between varsities and the NCC in the areas of research to develop innovations for the sector.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, pointed out that dirty energy is more expensive and has a huge negative impact on the environment. She expressed the readiness of Unilag to work with NCC, the telecoms sector in the areas of further research that would boost the industry.