Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), received the 2022 Regulator of the Year Award at the 11th Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards.
Several Nigerians who have distinguished themselves as achievers of excellence in their various fields of endeavor were honored at a glamorous ceremony on Friday at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Danbatta received the award in recognition of the EVC’s effective regulatory achievements through cutting-edge initiatives, particularly during his first five years in office, during which Nigeria’s telecom sector achieved spectacular milestones.
According to the event’s organizers, his initiatives strengthened the role of the telecommunications sector as a major contributor to the growth of Nigeria’s GDP, as well as telecoms investment inflows from $36 billion in 2015 to over $70 billion.
Danbatta also led a campaign to increase Nigeria’s broadband penetration from 5% at the time of his appointment to around 30% in 2018. Since his reappointment in 2020, the EVC has been among those leading the charge to achieve the new national broadband penetration target of 70% by 2025.
Chief Abiola Dosunmu, the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, presented the award, saying Danbatta was “extremely qualified and deserving.”
Other distinguished Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in professional excellence and service to humanity in the private and public sectors were honored at the event, including Dangote Group President Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who received the Personality of the Year Award.
Other awardees included Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, both of whom were in attendance, and Mohammed Bello Koko, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, who was named Public Sector Icon of the Year.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was represented by the state’s Deputy Governor, Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, while Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel was represented by the State Government’s Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem.
Among those in attendance are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Chairman of the NCC’s Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande, the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, and some members of the commission’s board, management, and staff.
