*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, discusses certain measures for telecoms network operators to minimise operational costs, and improve industry sustainability in the ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has discussed certain measures for the country’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to cut operational costs, and improve industry sustainability.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, noted these while interacting with media professionals in Lagos recently.

Maida also enumerated some of the pressing challenges facing the telecoms sector of the Nigerian economy.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission also stated such constraints include operational costs, disclosing that the telecoms sector consumes over 40 million litres of diesel monthly.

Maida also said these relatively huge operational costs underscored the need alternative energy sources, including solar power, to reduce operational costs and improve sustainability in the country’s telecoms space.

Aside from operational costs, the NCC Chief also affirmed overdependence of the network operators on Foreign Exchange (Forex) as an issue.

According to Maida, the telecommunications industry in Nigeria still relies heavily on Foreign Exchange for importing network hardware and software.

No major telecoms equipment is yet manufactured locally, he said.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission further averred that the development has made the telecoms sector vulnerable to fluctuations in the Forex market.

He also highlighted the need for local manufacturing capacity in the industry.

On ONSA, NCC collaboration for CNII protection

Highlighting security measures to safeguard telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), Dr. Maida said the NCC was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to develop a framework for rapid response forces tailored to regional security realities.

He explained this measure is targeted at improving the security of critical telecoms assets and reduce the risk of vandalism and theft in the digital environment.

Industry analysts have opined that the Commission’s policy decision to adopt market-driven pricing, which enabled the MNOs to effect 50 percent tariff increments earlier this year has led to significant investments in the telecoms sector.

This development is expected to improve network coverage and quality, address capacity challenges, improve consumers’ Quality of Experience (QoE), and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global telecoms landscape.

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