*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission reiterates the Commission鈥檚 commitment to the creation of a truly consumer-centric telecoms industry, in which 鈥榗onsumers feel valued, informed, empowered, and satisfied with the services they receive鈥� in the West African country鈥檚 telecoms space

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to the creation of a truly consumer-centric telecoms industry in the West African country.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), said this in his Keynote Speech delivered at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP), held in Abuja, FCT, recently.

The theme of the latest TCP edition is, 鈥�Optimising Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry鈥�.

Underlining the NCC鈥檚 commitment to ensuring continued awareness and transparency by service providers towards enhancing the Quality of Experience (QoE) for telecoms consumers, Dr. Maida averred: 鈥淥ur goal is to create a truly consumer-centric telecoms industry, in which consumers feel valued, informed, empowered, and satisfied with the services they receive.鈥�

On significance of enhanced service delivery by MNOs

In connection with the significance of transparency in data usage and attaining enhanced service delivery by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), the EVC/CEO of the Commission also acknowledged that the Internet use has become 鈥渆ssential to daily life鈥� in the Nigerian telecoms ecosystem.

He asserted the NCC鈥檚 role, therefore, is 鈥渢o not only ensure accessibility but to enhance service delivery for consumers.鈥�

According to the Executive Vice-Chairman, over the past two decades, the telecommunications landscape in the country 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 services, he noted, 鈥渨e鈥檝e seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more.鈥�

The introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s as well marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and e-mail.

Insights on consumer concerns about transparency and data usage

Despite the high statistics on the data-driven lifestyle several Nigerian telecoms consumers, Dr. Maida, in his speech nonetheless, observed that many consumers still feel their data depletes faster than expected.

鈥淣igeria isn鈥檛 alone in this; other countries, like Eswatini, are also working to address similar consumer concerns about data usage,鈥� stated he.

On what the telecoms sector regulatory Commission has done to address some of these concerns in the country鈥檚 telecoms ecosystem, the NCC Chief said earlier 2024, the Commission analysed consumer complaints, and uncovered data depletion and billing issues as top concerns in this regard.

Besides, the NCC, in collaboration with major operators, as well launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness on Smarter Data Usage, he noted.

This media campaign, spanning radio, television, newspapers, and SMS, aims to educate consumers on effective data management.

Maida said: 鈥淚n response, we directed Mobile Network Operators and ISPs to conduct audits of their billing systems, which reported no major issues.

鈥淗owever, perceptions persist due to two main factors: The impact of high-resolution devices and improved technologies on data use; and the complexity of operator tariffs.鈥�

He added 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 the ecosystem.

Thus, in a bid to address the identified tariff complexity in the telecoms ecosystem, Maida said the Commission recently issued a Guidance on Tariff Simplification, requiring operators to provide clear, accessible information on data plans and pricing.

鈥淭his transparency will empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about their data usage and billing,鈥� stated Dr. Maida.

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