The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to improving the quality of telecommunications services across the country, assuring Nigerians of a brighter outlook for the sector.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to improving the quality of telecommunications services across the country, assuring Nigerians of a brighter outlook for the sector.
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, gave the assurance during a media parley on Thursday with the Abuja chapter of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA). Dr. Maida was represented by the Acting Head of Public Affairs at the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha.
Maida said the NCC remains focused on addressing long-standing issues in the sector through strategic investment and collaboration with stakeholders.
“As was mentioned earlier, investment in the industry is crucial, and that investment will translate into improved quality of service and experience with time. The industry is bouncing back,” he said.
Highlighting the collaborative nature of progress in the telecoms space, he added, “But it’s not just our efforts, it’s the result of collaboration between us and you [the media]. And when the industry improves, we must show the public the data: the tests conducted, the fiber cuts reported, the access refusals.”
Maida noted that the Commission had identified and analyzed the root causes of poor quality of service, including right-of-way challenges, vandalism, and fiber cuts. He hinted at stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges, including possible prosecutions where necessary.
On the recent tariff adjustments, the EVC said the move had helped restore the financial health of many telecom operators.
“With the recent tariff adjustment exercise, these operators are now back on the path of profitability. They’ll be able to reinvest in their networks, which will lead to better quality of service and experience,” he explained.
“We expect investments in the industry to increase significantly this year, more than what was seen in the last two years. The Nigerian telecoms industry has great promise, evident in its revenue growth and service delivery, despite the recent challenges,” Maida added.
The EVC also challenged journalists to play a more investigative role in reporting the sector, especially by holding institutions accountable.
“You now have this information, don’t just sit on it. For instance, you were given figures on fiber cuts and theft affecting NCC. Who is responsible for those infrastructures? The NSCDC. Ask them what steps they’ve taken. How many people have been prosecuted?”
He continued: “Every state has legal departments. Go and ask them: ‘What are you doing to protect critical infrastructure?’ Someone raised the issue of tariffs, that each MNO’s charges should be clearly presented. Now, what are you doing from your end? You’re supposed to investigate. Build your data. When you’re done, come back to us. We’ll corroborate, confirm, and clarify with you. There should never be a time your information is in doubt.”
Earlier, the President of NITRA, Mr. Blessing Olaifa, expressed gratitude to the NCC for the engagement, praising the Commission for its openness and willingness to collaborate with the media.
“I would like to thank you for this opportunity to be here today and welcome my colleagues to this interactive session,” Olaifa said.
He assured the Commission of NITRA’s continued professionalism and support in reporting the sector accurately and responsibly for the benefit of Nigeria’s digital economy.