Category: Press Release

  • NCC Approves Request for Tariff Adjustments by Operators

    NCC Approves Request for Tariff Adjustments by Operators

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved tariff adjustment requests by network operators in response to current market conditions. This decision, made under the Commission’s authority outlined in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, permits adjustments capped at a maximum of 50% of current tariffs—significantly lower than the over 100% sought by some operators.

    The approved adjustments aim to address the gap between operational costs and stagnant tariff rates, which have remained unchanged since 2013, despite rising costs in the telecom sector. The new rates will fall within the tariff bands specified in the 2013 NCC Cost Study and adhere strictly to the 2024 NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification.

    The NCC highlighted that these changes would support operators in sustaining investments in infrastructure, improving network quality, enhancing customer service, and expanding coverage. The adjustments will also ensure that service delivery to consumers remains uncompromised while fostering a more sustainable telecommunications ecosystem.

    To safeguard consumer interests, the Commission conducted extensive consultations with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors before reaching its decision. Operators have been mandated to implement the adjustments transparently and fairly, ensuring that consumers are well-informed about the new rates. Furthermore, operators are required to demonstrate measurable service improvements following the tariff adjustments.

    The NCC emphasized its commitment to balancing consumer protection with industry sustainability, supporting indigenous vendors, and promoting growth in Nigeria’s digital economy. It reassured the public of its dedication to fostering a resilient and inclusive telecommunications sector that benefits all stakeholders.

    The Commission will continue to engage with stakeholders to maintain a fair and innovative telecommunications environment, ensuring connectivity for the nation while supporting operators and consumers alike.

    **Signed:**
    Reuben Muoka
    Director, Public Affairs
    Monday, January 20, 2025

  • Aseyin Advocates Collaboration with Oyo Water Corporation to Enhance Iseyin’s Water Supply

    Aseyin Advocates Collaboration with Oyo Water Corporation to Enhance Iseyin’s Water Supply

    The Aseyin of Iseyin, HRM Oba Sefiu Olawale, has called for a stronger partnership with the Oyo State Water Corporation to address water supply challenges in Iseyin and surrounding areas.

    The monarch made the appeal during a visit by the Chairman of the Oyo State Water Corporation, Mr. Elias Adeojo, to Iseyin.

    Adeojo reassured the Aseyin of the state government’s commitment to providing potable water across all regions. He noted that irregular power supply remains the primary obstacle to achieving adequate water distribution, a problem affecting many areas in Oyo State.

    “Governor Seyi Makinde has made the provision of potable water a key priority, and he has directed us to restore water services to all geopolitical zones in the state with full support and assistance,” Adeojo stated.

    Oba Sefiu Olawale, in his remarks, expressed optimism about overcoming the current challenges through collective efforts. He stressed the importance of implementing actionable outcomes from the meeting to ensure sustainable water supply in Iseyin.

    The monarch also highlighted the successful partnership between the government and the Soun of Ogbomoso in improving water supply to Ogbomoso. This collaboration inspired him to engage the Water Corporation Chairman in pursuit of a similar initiative for Iseyin.

    He further commended Governor Makinde for his dedication to the development of Oke-Ogun, particularly Iseyin, acknowledging his administration’s consistent efforts to move Oyo State forward.

    The meeting underscores the importance of collaboration between traditional institutions and government agencies in addressing community needs and driving development.

    **E-signed:**
    Prince Dotun Oyelade,
    Commissioner for Information,
    Oyo State.
    January 15, 2024.

  • Pre-Disconnection Notice

    Pre-Disconnection Notice

    Issued Pursuant to the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and the Guidelines for the Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) hereby notifies the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN) due to non-settlement of interconnect charges.

    Exchange was notified of the application and provided an opportunity to comment and state its case. After examining the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, the Commission determined that Exchange does not have sufficient justification for non-payment of the interconnect charges.

    The public is hereby advised to take notice of the following:
    1. The Commission has approved the disconnection of Exchange from MTN in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the Guidelines on the Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
    2. At the expiration of five (5) days from the date of this notice, MTN will cease passing voice and data traffic through Exchange and will utilize alternative channels to interconnect with other network service providers.

    Please note that this disconnection will remain in effect until otherwise determined by the Commission.

    Dated this day, Friday, 27th December 2024.

    Signed:
    Reuben Muoka
    Director, Public Affairs

  • Abuja Agog, as Makems Excites Fashion Lovers at 2024 Jewellery Exhibition

    Abuja Agog, as Makems Excites Fashion Lovers at 2024 Jewellery Exhibition

    · Promotes FG’s local content policy initiative

    Makems Jewellery, an Abuja-based fast-rising jewellery-making company in Nigeria, has set the city agog, as it recently held its annual jewellery exhibition with a wide range of trendy, fine and unique handmade, locally-produced and imported jewellery products on display for hundreds of visitors to the venue of the event.

    The jewellery exhibition was an expertly-curated showcase of exceptional ornaments, ranging from contemporary designs to vintage treasures such as Makems handmade jewellery, earrings, long necklaces, jewellery set, bangles and bracelets, rings and male bracelets, among others with special focus on promoting local contents, which aligns with Federal Government’s policy direction on promotion of local contents in all sectors of the economy.

    The annual Makems 2024 Jewellery Exhibition, which took place on December 7, 2024 at the Glowing Ages Academy, Games Village Road, Kaura District, Abuja attracted fashion lovers and potential clients, who used the opportunity to purchase trendy jewellery of their choice which meet their status as the Yuletide season begins while networking with other visitors.

    Addressing stakeholders and visitors at the event, the Director of Business Development at Makems, Miss Temitope Adejare, said Makems Jewellery makes unique jewellery products locally and also sell imported jewellery products as well.

    “Considering what has been happening in the economy in the area of dollar exchange to Naira, you will realise that things that are imported have become so expensive because they are in dollar. So, what we have done at Makems Jewellery is to ensure that we source for local jewellery materials and we have a lot of them that are locally-made in Nigeria on display at this exhibition.

    “Makems Jewellery has a passion for making jewellery and we now make do with what we can really do in Nigeria and we have been able to come out with beautiful jewellery pieces that people really love at this exhibition,” Adejare said.

    She explained that “what we do is unique to an individual. We do not repeat the design. So, if you buy any Makems jewellery piece, it is the only one that exists in terms of design. Overtime, people have come to know this and they love it also and they like coming for the exhibition.”

    According to her, Makems works year round to gather the best of locally-manufactured jewellery products as well as some imported designs and bring people together at the exhibition to come and see the various designs that Makems has brought on display for the season for them to purchase their favourite designs.

    “As you can see, we sell imported jewellery pieces as well but as you may have observed, most people would be at the Stand for Nigerian-handmade jewellery products because they are more unique, more durable and are very nice. This means, our locally-produced collection of jewellery appeals more to our clients.

    “Why most people run from Nigerian-made products is literally because of the quality. Most of the time, people that do local contents tend to compromise quality standards but what we have done at Makems is to ensure that what we have is of high quality even better than many of the imported jewellery, as the designs are nice and unique and meet the expectation of Nigeria across social divides.

    Speaking on affordability, the Business Development Director said because the products are domiciled in Naira, “you find out that it is easier for people to buy.” She optimistically noted that Makems was targeting “exporting our locally-manufactured jewellery products in the long run, thereby helping Nigeria’s Naira-to-dollar exchange to appreciate through local production of the fashion products and exports.”

    According to her, “With what we have done at Makems, we have a lot of staff that we have employed and this also means we are creating employment opportunity for Nigerians across the value chain. We are also available online across social media platforms for online purchase of our products.”

    Adejare added that Makems’ plan is to become a household name as an indigenous jewellery-sourcing and production firm, thereby enhancing the government’s policy direction to deepen local content, improve value addition through offerings of durable, comfortable and affordable jewellery products in Nigeria in the next few years.

  • Oyo Govt Approves Over 70% Budget Increase for Persons With Disabilities

    Oyo Govt Approves Over 70% Budget Increase for Persons With Disabilities

    The Oyo State Government has increased the 2025 capital budgetary allocation for Persons with Disabilities by over 70 per cent of what they received in 2024.

    The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde disclosed this in Ibadan, during the celebration of the 2024 Stakeholders summit and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

    Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal spoke on how the government has fared with the welfare of the disability community in his over four-year administration.

    He noted that all the requests of the persons with disabilities for the next year budget plans as submitted during the last Budget Town Hall meetings formed the increase of their capital budget to N877,500,000.

    The Governor added that their capital budget was initially N492,000,000, while the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ overhead cost has increased from N315,000,000 to N345,000,000.

    “It is believed that both will take care of their requests which include Transportation empowerment, training of relevant Agencies with what their roles will be for the persons with disabilities, training of enforcement Agencies for compliance, purchase of Assistive devices, mobility equipment among others.”

    The governor added that Oyo State has recruited 510 persons with disabilities into Oyo State Civil Service.

    He added, “I have also given a directive that henceforth, in every ministry the quota of the persons with disabilities must be protected.”

    Makinde recalled that, as soon as he assumed office on May 29, 2023, he appointed Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi as the pioneer Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

    Makinde said he equally appointed Mr. Timothy Olufemi as the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters to ensure that PWDs are carried along in governance.

    His words, “And when God granted me the grace of a second term, I reappointed Barrister Adekanmbi again but this time as the Pioneer Director General, Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities and I gave him the mandate to draw a budget line for the Agency, to find a suitable and conducive office environment to use, and to see to the redeployment of staff to kick-start the Agency for persons with Disabilities. I am glad to inform you that all these have been done within 1 year and 6 months of Omituntun 2.0.”

    He said, “Presently as we speak, disability cluster groups’ grants and subvention have been approved, and in no distant time, three operational vehicles will be delivered for the smooth running of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.”

    Speaking further, Makinde said, “It is on the record that I am the first Governor to politically empower persons with disabilities by appointing them as Supervisory Councilors and SAs across the entire Local Governments of Oyo State, which was what made us stand out as an all-inclusive government all over the country.”

    Speaking earlier, the Director-General, Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Barr. Ayodele Adekanmbi said the administration of governor Seyi Makinde is truly committed to providing opportunities for People Living with Disabilities (PwDs).

    “The Agency has continued to receive all the necessary support from the administration to ensure that PwDs are carried along.

    “Since the coming of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, there are some deliberate initiatives the governor has put in place to improve access to governance and quality of service to persons with disabilities,” he said.


    E-signed:

    Prince Dotun Oyelade,

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

    Oyo State.

    December 2, 2024.

  • Oyo Stakeholders Call for Swift Passage of Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill

    Oyo Stakeholders Call for Swift Passage of Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill

    Stakeholders in Oyo State have strongly advocated for the speedy passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, emphasizing its potential to improve governance, transparency, and accountability. During a stakeholders’ engagement held in Ibadan on Tuesday, key figures highlighted the importance of the bill in streamlining government operations and enhancing citizen-government engagement.

    The Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Olatunbosun Tijani, represented by Banke Ajagunna, underscored the bill’s role in fostering a digital economy and building trust between the government and citizens. Tijani called on both Nigerians and the National Assembly to support the bill, noting that consultations are being held across the country to gather input from stakeholders.

    The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2024, is seen as a critical step toward Nigeria’s digital transformation, aimed at driving economic growth through technology, improving public service delivery, and creating a competitive digital environment. Tijani emphasized the bill’s potential to modernize public services and ensure access to digital services, particularly in underserved areas.

    The bill is also expected to foster economic transformation by supporting digital commerce, cross-border trade, and innovation, positioning Nigeria as a leading player in Africa’s digital landscape. Furthermore, it seeks to promote infrastructure and digital literacy programs, ensuring digital access for all citizens.

    Mr. Bayo Akande, Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance to the Oyo State Governor, welcomed the bill, noting that Nigeria’s digital economy is long overdue. Akande highlighted the challenges Nigeria faces in comparison to countries with advanced e-governance frameworks and emphasized that the bill is a crucial step in addressing these challenges and driving economic growth.

    Oyo State has already made strides in digital governance, with recent initiatives like Business Process Automation aimed at making government services more efficient and paperless. The passage of the bill is seen as a pivotal move to further enhance digital governance and support international trade and investment in Nigeria’s digital economy.

    The event saw the participation of various stakeholders, including leaders from the tech ecosystem, all of whom expressed strong support for the bill’s swift passage.

    E-signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State.

    November 27, 2024.

  • Speaker Abbas Leads Reps on Advocacy Walk Against Gender-Based Violence

    Speaker Abbas Leads Reps on Advocacy Walk Against Gender-Based Violence

    House Petitions IGP, Demands Action on Violence Against Women and Girls

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., on Monday led the leadership and members of the House in a significant advocacy walk to mark this year’s celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

    Accompanied by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Majority Leader Hon. (Prof) Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, and several other members of the House and senior aides, Speaker Abbas spearheaded the walk against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

    Prominent participants in the exercise included the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; and National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dayo Israel, among others.

    This advocacy walk was part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The theme for this year’s campaign is “No Excuse for Violence!”

    The advocacy train moved from the National Assembly Complex to the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, where the House presented a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, urging a thorough investigation and prosecution of cases related to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

    At the main entrance to the National Assembly, midway through the walk, Speaker Abbas addressed the crowd, declaring that the 10th House was committed to intensifying efforts in the fight against GBV and VAWG.

    He stated, “This day marks history; a day when the National Assembly has chosen to actively partner with other groups in the country to combat gender-based violence. This year’s programme coincides with a time when, globally, women are in anguish and frustration. The United Nations has issued a damning report, stating that every 10 minutes, a woman is killed somewhere in the world.”

    Speaker Abbas called this an unacceptable and unforgivable trend, stressing that parliament must unite with relevant authorities, particularly law enforcement, to curb this dangerous pattern.

    He continued, “The National Assembly will do everything possible to drastically reduce, if not completely eliminate, all forms of violence against women and girls in the near future.”

    The Speaker also announced that the House would play an active role in the upcoming national action plan against violence toward women, promising to send representatives and participate in the development of pro-poor policies aimed at significantly reducing violence against women, children, and girls.

    Speaker Abbas then officially launched the 16-Day Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

    Following this, Hon. Ogbara, Chairman of the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, led the delegation to the Force Headquarters, where she presented the petition on behalf of the House, demanding a thorough investigation into cases of violence against women and girls.

    The House will continue to engage in activities related to the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence over the next 16 days.

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi,
    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker,
    House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

  • Oyo Gov’t To Conduct Compute Based Exam For 15,000 Candidates

    Oyo Gov’t To Conduct Compute Based Exam For 15,000 Candidates

     

    …Says CBT Test Holds In Two Centres

     

    The Oyo State Government has said about Fifteen Thousand candidates will sit for its forthcoming Computer based test for recruitment into different cadres in the civil service.

    The Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alh. Kamoru Abiodun Aderibigbe disclosed this today in Ibadan at his office.

    According to him, the examination will be held from Monday, November 25, 2024- Thursday, November 28, 2024.

    He said approval was given by Governor Seyi Makinde for about Nine Hundred (900) Officers to be recruited into over 60 Cadres across MDAs in the Mainstream of the Civil Service.

    Speaking further, the Chairman said out of Twenty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Five (22,235) applications received by the Commission, Fifteen thousand were qualified to sit for the CBT.

    Aderibigbe said the recruitment is unprecedented in the history of Oyo State, as there has never been a time in the last two decades when such recruitment was done, as it has always been on cadre basis.

    “For instance, the present administration had recruited 60 Environmental Health personnel in 2020, 692 Education Officers, 30 state Counsel in the same year, while 19 officers were recently recruited for the Ministry of Lands.”

    “As for the ongoing process, 22,235 applications were successfully submitted into the State government job portal out of which roughly 15,000 which is about 67% were qualified for recruitment into the cadres for which they have applied in line with the scheme of service and the parameters stated in our Tribune advertisement of 7th October, 2024”, he said.

    Consequently, Alh. Aderibigbe said similar cadres have been grouped to sit at the same centre, stressing that applicants have been divided into two groups of examining for competence.

    Those seeking employment as Education Officers, Environmental Health personnel, Social Welfare and Youth will sit CBT at the Arch. Bamidele Samson CBT Center, Opposite UCH, on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th November, while others will sit for theirs at the Distance Learning CBT Center, Ajibode, Ibadan, on Thursday, 28th November, 2024.

    He said invites are already being sent to successful applicants, advising applicants yet to get invites, to visit the Oyo State Government portal and refresh if qualified by all the parameters stated in our publication.

    Aderibigbe advised applicants to come to the examination centre at the indicated time on their individual invitation Slips, with a printed copy of their application form and invitation Slip.

    While thanking Governor Seyi Makinde for the very rare opportunity to lift many youth out of poverty to prosperity with employment of thousands, Aderibigbe appealed to applicants to be good ambassadors of the State.

    E-signed:

    Prince Dotun Oyelade,

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

    Oyo State.

    November  22, 2024. 

  • KEYNOTE SPEECH DELIVERED BY DR. AMINU MAIDA, EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AT THE 93RD TELECOMS CONSUMER PARLIAMENT (TCP) HELD AT THE COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY COMPLEX AUDITORIUM, AUGUST 8, 2024

    KEYNOTE SPEECH DELIVERED BY DR. AMINU MAIDA, EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AT THE 93RD TELECOMS CONSUMER PARLIAMENT (TCP) HELD AT THE COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY COMPLEX AUDITORIUM, AUGUST 8, 2024

    Protocol,

    It’s an honor to welcome you to the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, themed “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry.” This theme is timely, as internet use has become essential to daily life, and our role at the NCC is to not only ensure accessibility but to enhance service delivery for consumers.

    Over the past two decades, the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria has transformed from basic voice services to high-speed data that connects, informs, and powers innovations. With the rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G, we’ve seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more. The introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and email. The leap to 4G LTE brought faster speeds, enabling video streaming, online gaming, and a myriad of digital activities. Now, with 5G promising even faster speeds and lower latency, new frontiers are opening for innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things, driving further demand for data.

    Today, as data consumption grows, fueled by digital advancements, we must address consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency.

    Globally, DataReportal notes there are now over 5 billion internet users, with Nigeria alone accounting for 132 million connections. Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives. In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year—a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead.

    Despite this, many consumers feel their data depletes faster than expected, echoing a sentiment I hear often. Nigeria isn’t alone in this; other countries, like Eswatini, are also working to address similar consumer concerns about data usage.

    Earlier this year, NCC analyzed consumer complaints, revealing data depletion and billing issues as top concerns. In response, we directed Mobile Network Operators and ISPs to conduct audits of their billing systems, which reported no major issues. However, perceptions persist due to two main factors:

    (1) the impact of high-resolution devices and improved technologies on data use and

    (2) the complexity of operator tariffs.

    With the advent of 4G and 5G, as well as devices with ultra-high-definition screens, data consumption has naturally increased. For example, while viewing a photo on Instagram might have required only 100 kilobytes of data five years ago, today, with advanced camera resolutions, a photo can consume between two to four megabytes when opened on Instagram. According to Tech Advisor, an online resource that offers tech reviews, spending an hour on Instagram can set you off an average of 600 Megabytes of your data, while streaming platforms like YouTube would set you off by about 3.5 to 5.4 Gigabytes per hour.

    Improved technologies go beyond their purchase cost to our pockets, they also come at a cost to data. Because they have better screen resolutions, they consume higher quality media that consumes more data. This is the same for our increasing digital habits: according to DataReportal, the world’s internet users are spending less time watching television; the average daily television viewing has fallen by over 8% in the past one year. These viewers are now spending more time on their telephones, tablets, and smart TVs streaming programmes that they would previously have watched on broadcast television.

    Recognizing these challenges, the Commission, in collaboration with major operators, launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness on Smarter Data Usage. This media campaign, spanning radio, television, newspapers, and SMS, aims to educate consumers on effective data management. I am sure many of you have encountered jingles or graphics offering tips for managing data. Our message emphasizes empowering consumers with the knowledge to optimize their data usage. For example, many smartphone users may not know that their devices can track data usage and allow them to set limits on the amount of data they want to use.

    [Question to audience: How many of us are aware of this feature?]

    Smartphones, even when idle, often run background applications like automatic updates and location services, which consume data. Additionally, high-definition streaming services like Netflix consume substantial data— about three gigabytes per hour in high definition, or seven gigabytes in ultra-high definition.

    The Commission believes that an informed consumer is a better-equipped consumer, leading to a clearer understanding of data consumption and reducing misconceptions about data depletion.

    In addition, to address tariff complexity, NCC issued a Guidance on Tariff Simplification, requiring operators to provide clear, accessible information on data plans and pricing. This transparency will empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about their data usage and billing.

    In the coming months, operators will implement this guidance, presenting consumers with tables detailing their tariff plans, billing rates on each plan, and all terms and conditions related to the tariff plans they are on.

    As I wrap up, I would like to stress at the heart of the Commission’s Strategic Vision is the commitment to meet the expectations of our stakeholders: the Consumers, the Industry/Licensees, and the Government.

    I daresay that the government and operators thrive on satisfied consumers. To achieve this, our focus has evolved from simply demanding quality service to ensuring a holistic Quality of Experience throughout the telecom consumer’s lifecycle—from SIM registration to usage and even service disposal. Our goal is for consumers to be consistently satisfied with telecom services.

    Over the past months we Our data analysis has shown that quality service delivery is not solely the responsibility of Mobile Network Operators; it requires collaboration across the value chain. Key stakeholders, such as TowerCos, which provide power and shared infrastructure, as well as those providing essential backhaul services, whether by fibre, microwave or even satellite, connecting base stations to the core networks of MNOs, all play crucial roles in ensuring high-quality telecom services.

    In recognition of this, the Commission has revised its guidelines to include provisions that hold each player in the value chain accountable for quality service.

    While the Commission remains committed to these goals, the industry also faces challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom assets, which frustrate operators’ efforts to deliver quality telecom services. In July, through NCC’s advocacy and collaboration with key stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed a Presidential Order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure. This Executive Order strengthens our ability to address issues of vandalism, tampering, and unauthorized access to telecom infrastructure.

    We cannot also ignore the effect of current macroeconomic challenges and the rising cost of business in the country which is impacting the ability of operators to make the necessary investments in the sector.

    The Commission is mindful of this and is actively working with other arms of government and stakeholders to address these issues and ensure the industry’s sustainability.

    In closing, I want to reaffirm the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability within the sector. The Commission is finalizing our Major Incident Reporting Guidelines, which will require operators to inform consumers of major incidents impacting their networks, with these reports also accessible on our website.

    Consumers can also soon expect coverage maps detailing operators’ network strength across the country. These maps will indicate coverage gaps, service quality, and signal strength, allowing consumers to make more informed choices when selecting an operator.

    Conclusion

    As we deliberate at this Parliament on ways to optimize the data experience for telecom consumers, let us remember that our goal is to create a truly consumer-centric telecom industry, in which consumers feel valued, informed, empowered, and satisfied with the services they receive. As Speaker of this Parliament, I want to affirm that this occasion is a platform for open and honest dialogue—a space where consumers can speak and be heard. Our conversations here will be integral to ensuring that our consumers receive optimal Quality of Experience from the industry. With sustained commitment, we can build an ecosystem where every Nigerian enjoys the benefits of world-class telecommunications services.

    Thank you for your attention.

    Dr. Aminu Maida

    Executive Vice Chairman/CEO

    Nigerian Communications Commission

  • ECOWAS Commission President Attends Kuwait Counter-Terrorism Conference

    ECOWAS Commission President Attends Kuwait Counter-Terrorism Conference

    By   Milcah   Tanimu

    Kuwait City, 4-5 November 2024 – The high-level conference on Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms opened today, November 4, 2024, at the St. Regis, Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait City.

    The ceremony featured statements from notable leaders, including Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism; His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Mubarak Al Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait; and H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan. With over 480 participants, the conference emphasized the international community’s commitment to enhancing multilateralism in combating terrorism.

    During the opening of the Ministerial Session, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Tourey shared insights into West Africa’s counter-terrorism initiatives. He highlighted ongoing projects aimed at improving security and emphasized the need for fair and balanced access to international resources. Dr. Tourey called for concrete support and cooperation to address insecurity and counter-terrorism across borders effectively.

    Accompanying Dr. Tourey was Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. He delivered a keynote address during a thematic session on global border security challenges, advocating for better coordination among the various counter-terrorism initiatives in the region. Other delegation members included Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai, ECOWAS Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Dr. Sani Adamu, Acting Head of the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations Division.