New President of ATCON, Nnamani sets agenda for growth of telecom industry

Ikechukwu Nnamani, new national president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said his focal attention during his tenure will be on establishing an enabling environment for growth of the telecom industry, pursuit of telecom financing, strengthening the secretariat for more efficiency, and financial sustainability of the association.

Nnamani also chief executive officer of Medallion Communications, was elected unopposed for the position at the ATCON annual general meeting (AGM) and National Executive Council Elections in Lagos.

He was the first vice president of ATCON during the 2018/2020 administration and has a core vision of bridging the digital divide between nations and integrating technologies for practical solutions.

Nnamani said he would focus attention on securing foreign exchange for telecom finance of members importing critical telecom equipment into the country.

Speaking with pressmen, he said one of the key areas his administration will focus on is to pursue telecom financing, stressing that some members have complained about challenges getting access to the right mix forex for those that require the importation of technical equipment and infrastructure.

He pledged that the new body of executives will be engaging with the relevant government agencies to resolve the challenges.

“Ultimately, for the next two years this particular executive body will work to grow the industry by extending communication service across the country, not just in the big cities.

“We plan to achieve this by leveraging on the platform of some members who are already established to help those struggling.” he pointed out.

Nnamani affirmed that the new excos will ensure that members are seen as an industry team, not as an individual company as well as ensure everyone is carried along and giving a platform to talk.

“Last year, before COVID, lot of progress was made when CEOs of different entities were sitting in one room and addressing challenges. We found out quite a number of members had solutions that some other members were sourcing for outside the country, because they were not aware members had them. By that, we were able to create an environment where they could interact, and it helps.” Nnamani hinted.

He added that “another core agenda will be on our membership. Our membership is already enlarging each year. So, we will be expounding the categories of our members in quantity, and also quality, adding values to each member from advocacy standpoint, and financial stand point.”

He highlighted that he will also focus on the need of  members, especially in area where they are have challenges with government agencies and regulators.

In his words: “It is easier when members come through the association to address issues affecting them than when they go alone because you suddenly notice you’re not the only one facing same challenge. When the regulator sees that more than one entity is facing same challenge, they take it more serious than when they feel it is isolated to one company.