The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) held its 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament on August 8, 2024, at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex Auditorium. Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, delivered the keynote speech, focusing on consumer empowerment in an evolving data-driven telecommunications landscape.
Themed “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry,” the event addressed the pressing issue of data consumption, billing transparency, and the overall quality of experience for Nigerian telecom consumers.
Dr. Maida highlighted the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, which has transitioned from basic voice services to high-speed data over the past two decades.
With the rollout of 5G, Nigerians are experiencing increased connectivity that enables advancements like smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, the increased data usage from high-resolution devices and streaming services has led to growing concerns among consumers over data depletion and billing.
The NCC responded to these concerns by auditing billing systems of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), though no major issues were detected. Dr. Maida noted that factors such as high-resolution screens and complex tariffs contribute to data consumption, leading to perceptions of fast data depletion.
“An informed consumer is a better-equipped consumer,” he stated, emphasizing the NCC’s commitment to consumer education on data management through a Joint Industry Campaign.
To simplify tariffs, the NCC issued a new guidance requiring clear and accessible information on data plans and billing, with implementations expected soon. This transparency, Dr. Maida asserted, would allow consumers to make better-informed decisions and feel more in control of their data expenses.
Dr. Maida also highlighted NCC’s Strategic Vision, which includes the enhancement of Quality of Experience across the telecom lifecycle—from SIM registration to service usage. The Commission has revised guidelines to ensure accountability across the telecom value chain, including infrastructure providers.
The speech also addressed challenges in the sector, such as vandalism of telecom assets and macroeconomic pressures, which affect service delivery. Dr. Maida lauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a move aimed at curbing infrastructure tampering and theft.
In conclusion, Dr. Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to transparency and accountability. He announced the upcoming release of Major Incident Reporting Guidelines and coverage maps, providing consumers with detailed insights into network quality and signal strength across Nigeria.
As the Telecoms Consumer Parliament concluded, Dr. Maida urged stakeholders to continue fostering a consumer-centric industry where Nigerian telecom users are informed, empowered, and satisfied with their services.
