L-R: Head, Customer Operations, North, MTN, Chikaodi Ofoegbe; Chief Executive Officer, 9Mobile, Obafemi Banigbe; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Rimini Makama; Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz during the 93rdedition of the Telecom Consumer Parliament hosted by the Commission in Abuja on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Nigerian Communications Commission’s 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament Focuses on Consumer-Centric Data Transparency
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman
ABUJA, NIGERIA November, 2024 - Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), delivered the keynote address at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, held at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex Auditorium. Themed “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry,” the event highlighted the Commission's ongoing commitment to enhancing consumer experience amidst growing data demands and complex billing structures.
Addressing an audience of telecom stakeholders, Dr. Maida noted that Nigeria’s telecom sector has rapidly evolved from basic voice services to high-speed data with 3G, 4G, and now 5G networks, driving innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things (IoT). With the rise in data consumption, Nigerians recorded an average of 336 gigabytes per second daily in 2024—a 39% increase from the previous year.
A major issue addressed during the Parliament was consumers’ concerns over rapid data depletion and the transparency of billing practices. Dr. Maida explained that higher-resolution devices, complex tariffs, and increased streaming on platforms like Instagram and Netflix are impacting data usage, fueling perceptions of faster-than-expected depletion. “As consumers adopt more advanced devices and digital habits, their data needs naturally increase,” he explained.
In response to these concerns, NCC has initiated a “Smarter Data Usage” campaign in collaboration with telecom operators to educate users on managing data effectively. This campaign, which spans various media, aims to inform consumers about tools for tracking data usage and limiting unnecessary consumption.
Moreover, the NCC has issued new guidelines on tariff simplification, mandating that operators provide transparent and accessible information on data plans. “By understanding tariff structures, consumers can make better-informed choices that match their usage needs,” Dr. Maida added.
Dr. Maida also highlighted NCC’s focus on “Quality of Experience,” ensuring that consumers have seamless interactions with telecom services from SIM registration to usage. To improve service quality, NCC is holding various stakeholders accountable, including infrastructure providers who support connectivity through towers and fiber networks.
Despite the progress, the telecom industry continues to face challenges such as vandalism and rising operational costs. In July, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed an Executive Order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, enhancing protections against vandalism—a positive step applauded by Dr. Maida.
Looking forward, the NCC is developing transparency measures such as incident reporting guidelines, where operators will notify consumers of service disruptions. Additionally, network coverage maps will soon be available, allowing users to assess service quality across regions and make informed decisions on operator selection.
Concluding, Dr. Maida reaffirmed NCC's commitment to creating a truly consumer-centric telecom environment where Nigerians feel valued, informed, and empowered. "Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian enjoys world-class telecommunications services," he stated, underscoring the Parliament’s role as a forum for open dialogue to address consumer concerns.
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