NCC Restates Commitment To Transparency, Accountability In Telecom Industry
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, said the Commission is committed to enhancing good customer experience through transparency and accountability in the nation’s telecommunication industry.
Dr Maida disclosed this in his keynote speech at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, held recently at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex Auditorium in Abuja with the theme, “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry.”
The NCC CEO who emphasized the commission’s commitment to optimizing data experience and empowering consumers through awareness and transparency, highlighted the rapid growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, with over 132 million internet users and an average daily data usage of 336 gigabytes per second.
Aminu who attributed this growth to the increased adoption of social media, e-commerce, online banking, and other digital services, said “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.
Despite the growth in the nation’s telecommunications sector, Dr. Maida acknowledged concerns over data depletion and billing transparency, noting that high-resolution devices and improved technologies contribute to increased data consumption, leading to faster data depletion, in addition to complex operator tariffs and background applications running on devices which can consume data without users’ knowledge.
He said to address these challenges, the NCC launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness on Smarter Data Usage, which aims to educate consumers on effective data management and provide tips on reducing data consumption. “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.”
Dr. Maida also announced the issuance of a Guidance on Tariff Simplification, requiring operators to provide clear, accessible information on data plans and pricing.
“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,” he said.
In prioritizing Consumer Satisfaction, the NCC boss emphasized the Commission’s commitment to consumer satisfaction, ensuring that consumers receive optimal quality of service and experience, even as he highlighted the commission’s strategic vision, focusing on five key drivers: people, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, compliance, and digitization.
