The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has praised the Federal Government for officially classifying telecommunication infrastructure as critical national assets in Nigeria.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Director and Chief Executive of the NCC, applauded theFG during the 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament in Abuja.
Dr. Maida highlighted the significant challenges faced by operators, particularly the issue of infrastructure vandalism and the rising operational costs. He also acknowledged the broader impact of the current macroeconomic challenges on the sector.
“We cannot overlook the challenges posed by the current macroeconomic environment, which affects the operational costs for service providers and limits their ability to invest adequately in the sector,” Maida stated.
He reassured stakeholders that the NCC is actively collaborating with various government bodies and industry partners to address these pressing issues and ensure the long-term sustainability of the telecommunications industry.
Despite these obstacles, Dr. Maida noted the impressive growth in telecommunication services over the past two decades. Citing global trends from Data Reportal, he revealed that Nigeria is home to 132 million internet users out of over 5 billion worldwide. Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media each day, significantly surpassing the global average.
In 2024, daily data usage in Nigeria reached an average of 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year, reflecting the country’s increasing reliance on digital services.
Maida further emphasized the role of advanced technologies, such as 5G, smart cities, and the Internet of Things, in accelerating the digital transformation of Nigeria. With this transition, however, he acknowledged that concerns around data usage and billing transparency have become significant for consumers.
To address these concerns, the NCC has introduced audits of the billing systems used by mobile network operators and internet service providers.
Despite finding no significant issues during the audits, there has been a persistent perception of rapid data depletion.
In response, the NCC has launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness, aimed at educating users on smarter data management. The campaign has been disseminated through various media platforms, including radio, television, newspapers, and SMS, providing practical tips for optimizing data usage.
Dr. Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to improving consumer education and ensuring fair practices in the telecommunications industry.
