Telecom
NCC Gives Voice to Subscribers with Consumer Advocacy
Telecommunications sector is the only sector of the country’s economy that consumer’s right are protected as well as given opportunity to interfaced with service providers.
It stands on a tripod.
This did not happen spontaneously; it is as a result of regulatory framework initiated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) led by Ernest Ndukwe.
The consumer wants the services to be of a good quality and affordable. The consumer wants the operator to respond at all times when he or she needs attention, and to provide explanations whenever anything goes wrong. The consumer wants to be protected at all times from being taken advantage of by service providers. Just like consumers of any services, the consumer of telecom services wants to be well treated. The Commission has recognized all these and has put in place special structures to ensure that the needs and desires of the consumer are taken care of. For NCC, the consumer is the main object, the subject and the reason for their being.
Against this backdrop, that the sector has good number of consumer advocacy groups that are active in the industry which the commission is supporting to ensure that interest of consumers are taken care of, such groups include, National Association of Telecommunications Consumers Association (Natcomms), Consumer Right Project, among others.
The Regulatory Process
The Commission has many stakeholders in the regulatory process. These stakeholders include the government, consumers, the operators, the media, and the international community, among few others. The Commission strives to meet the expectations of the many stakeholders.
Government
Government is a very important stakeholder in the job of telecom regulation. The policy and the laws being implemented by the Commission have been prepared and enacted by government for good of society. The Government’s interest in the process is also varied.
Government is interested that services are made available to the Nigerian people in a timely, qualitative and affordable manner, and that activities in the sector are carried out in a legal and orderly manner. Government is also interested in creating an enabling environment that would continue to attract investment in the sector so that her desires for the people are substantially met.
The Commission in all its activities is therefore mindful of the need to protect, preserve and implement actions and programmes that meet the expectations and objectives of government.
The Operators: The operators also belong to a class of stakeholders in the business of telecom regulation. Apart from obtaining their operational licenses, with certain obligations attached to them, the operators also expect certain obligations from government and the regulator. They expect a non partial regulator to protect their huge investments. They want the Commission to ensure that no other entity interferes with their network resources such as frequency spectrum. They expect a regulator that will not be arbitrary in decision making and one that will regulate by the rules as contained in the license agreement and provisions of the laws and regulations.
The Consumer: The Commission does not just theorize about empowering the consumer in industry, it has given practical expressions to this phenomenon through actions, policies and programmes which have venerated, empowered, protected and uplifted him/her in the comity of stakeholders in the industry. Prior to the enactment of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, the Commission had in September 2001 established a full fledged department called Consumer Affairs Bureau. The Bureau was charged with PIE mandate – to Protect, Inform and Educate the Nigerian telecoms consumers. This mandate has remained an irrevocable social contract between the Commission and telecoms consumers in our nation. In a bid to protect, inform and educated consumers, the Commission held its maiden Consumer Forum at Flamingo Restaurant in Victoria Island in April 2002 and shortly after in August 2003, launched the monthly Telecoms Consumer Parliament, a novel regulatory initiative that earned the Commission, nay Nigeria, commendations from ITU and ICT professionals and groups across the globe. At the last count, 46 sessions of Telecoms Consumer Parliament has helped in no small measure in creating awareness of the rights of consumers and the obligation s of the service providers in the resolution of their problems and concerns. It has enable operators to clarify issues pertaining to service delivery for the benefit of their subscribers and also to publicly give account of their stewardship to the people. Useful feedbacks have emanated from the programme which culminated in far-reaching regulatory interventions by the Commission.
The Commission has over the years proactively enunciated policies and programmes that served the interest of the consumers through the introduction of price caps within which operators were allowed to charge consumers for services provided in accordance with global best practice, introduced competition in all segments of the telecom services portfolio to ensure that consumers have a wide range of products and services to choose from; and are not held to ransom by any service provider. Based on feedbacks received from consumers at the TCP, the Commission intervened on the issue of charging subscribers for calls made to customer care lines to lay consumers complaints.
In line with the commissions consumer-centric philosophy that it inaugurated an twelve-man Industry Consumer Advisory Forum, (ICAF), headed by Mrs. Ifeyinwa Umenyi the director general of the Consumer Protection Council, to review the general consumer code of practice regulations by the Commission as well as facilitate consumer protection, information and educational programmes.
ICAF will act in advisory capacity, and will make recommendations to the Commission regarding the interests and concerns of the consumer of ICT products and services, the interests and concerns of physically challenged and the elderly, ensure that consumers are protected from unfair practices and facilitate the review of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007 as well as make recommendations on all issues to the Commission.
The Commission has also defined acceptable quality of service thresholds which operators are expected to meet on the one hand, as well as sanctions in event of failure to meet those thresholds. In order to ensure compliance by operators, regular monitoring by the Commission of the operations of licensees across the length and breath of the country is undertaken.
Periodic reports on these monitoring activities are published on the website of the Commission and in major national newspapers.
To underscore the importance that the Board and management of the Commission attach to improved QoS on the networks, an industry QoS Working Group was set up with members drawn from the public and private sectors of the economy.
In 2007, the Commission caused to be gazetted Consumer Code of Practice Regulation which has become the reference document for both consumers and the operators. Each licensee is required to produce and submit a Code of Practice which has to be reviewed and approved by the Commission. The Code of Practice stipulates Service Level Agreements, the responsibilities and rights of each party, and procedure for resolving disagreements whenever they arise between parties.
Given the diversity of the country coupled with its geographical vastness, the Commission has taken it upon itself to promote and nurture consumerism by identifying and collaborating with reputable Consumer Advocacy Groups to facilitate nation-wide consumer protection and empowerment as a precondition for orderly and sustainable growth and development for the telecoms industry in Nigeria.
Cybersecurity researchers at Malwarebytes Labs have exposed a sophisticated new Gmail scam where fraudsters send fake Google security alerts via phishing emails, texts, and pop-ups, tricking users into a deceptive four-step verification process that harvests login credentials, GPS locations, contacts, and other sensitive data for account takeovers.
Gmail
Disguised as routine checkups, these alerts mimic Google’s official pages to create urgency, prompting victims to install malicious “security tools” that grant hackers real-time access to Gmail and linked services—Corey Donovan, president of Alta Technologies, warns legitimate checks never come unsolicited or demand downloads, urging users to close suspicious prompts immediately and verify via official Google account pages instead.
The scam’s rise amplifies risks during travel, where public Wi-Fi hotspots—especially “evil twin” fakes like slight misspellings of “Airport_Free_WiFi”—enable interception of banking details, emails, and malware installs; Donovan advises disabling auto-connect, using VPNs for HTTPS sites only, avoiding logins altogether, and crafting strong passwords with mixed characters plus two-factor authentication.
Shoulder surfing on public transport and outdated devices compound threats, as fraudsters glimpse screens or exploit unpatched vulnerabilities—keeping phones updated with post-update privacy reviews limits app access to location or commutes, while skipping work emails in view maintains confidentiality on the go.
Nigeria’s heavy reliance on digital banking and crypto heightens vulnerability, as scammers exploit rushed travellers; Donovan stresses: “Cybercriminals target busy airports and stations knowing guards drop—stay cautious, update devices, lock privacy, and never rush links to protect against these advanced breaches.”
Vitel Wireless, pioneer Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has launched an audacious “data that never expires” campaign designed to address consumer pain points in the market.
Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless
Fast-depleting data is a major issue for mobile users, particularly in Nigeria, with numerous complaints against network providers alleging that data plans exhaust prematurely.
But Vitel Wireless said it is now addressing the situation after extensive engagement with Nigerian consumers, particularly young people and small businesses.
Kenneth Neabueze, chairman of Vitel Wireless, said “What we’re saying to Nigerians is this, you buy the data, and you keep the data for as long as you want. There’s no more. You bought 2GB for two days, and it expires. If you buy that data under our scheme, it stays with you forever,” he said.
He added that the model promotes transparency and cost efficiency. “So it’s saving us money, it’s giving us transparency, and it’s giving us the ability to have control over how we spend and use our data,” he stated.
He noted that the concept was inspired by research into the everyday challenges Nigerians face.
“We talked to students who would tell us that in the middle of doing a project, they would be told that the data had expired, and we asked, ‘ How do we innovate?” We have analysed it, and we know, given the current economic conditions in Nigeria, you should buy the data with discounts of almost 40 per cent, and that’s why we are transparent”
The company has also unveiled a suite of products and services aimed at redefining connectivity, including its flagship Vitel Xphone.
The company explained that its services are available via both physical SIMs and eSIMs, with the 0712 number offering global use.
According to the firm, users can retain existing mobile numbers or migrate seamlessly, while enjoying nationwide coverage across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with full GSM services including voice, SMS, USSD, and mobile data.
Chudi Nwabueze, chief operating officer of Vitel Wireless, described the firm as a technology telecom focused on innovation beyond traditional voice and data services.
“We’re coming in with a lot of innovation to activate applications and create tools that people can use in their businesses, homes, and daily lives,” he said.
He added that eSIM technology allows users to operate multiple lines on compatible devices, while introducing a range of digital solutions aimed at enhancing communication, safety, and business operations, anchored by its flagship Xphone.
Hence, the platform combines GSM and VoIP technologies to deliver seamless voice, video, and messaging services, along with cost-saving benefits and nationwide connectivity.
It is complemented by the Oga App, which enables real-time staff monitoring, automated payroll, and performance tracking to improve organisational efficiency.
Similarly, the network also rolled out SecureMe and Asset Tracker to address security and asset management needs.
While SecureMe provides GPS tracking and emergency alerts for personal and workplace safety, Asset Tracker helps businesses monitor and manage physical assets in real time.
Vitel Wireless noted that on pricing, challenged consumers to compare daily data costs across operators, while adding that the network offers discounts for higher volumes without imposing expiry limits.
Also speaking, Chinenye Adebayo, relationship partnership manager, outlined opportunities for Nigerians to join the company’s distribution network by visiting the website and becoming a mobile agent or sun-agents in any state.
The company noted that its offerings, including Close User Group (CUG) services and high-speed wireless network, are designed to provide integrated digital solutions for individuals and enterprises, as it seeks to position itself as a disruptive force in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
MTN Group delivered impressive financial and operational achievements for 2025, boosted by strong performances in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana, as well as solid earnings from MTN South Africa.
The three core markets of Africa’s largest mobile provider enhanced profitability, free cash flow, and shareholder dividends by 45%.
IT Web Africa reported that Ralph Mupita, group CEO and president, MTN, highlighted that the telecoms giant’s robust commercial momentum across key markets capped the final year of its Ambition 2025 strategy, while laying the foundation for a new long-term growth phase under Ambition 2030.
“The Group’s overall performance in 2025 was excellent. In the final year of our Ambition 2025 strategy, we were proud to have exceeded the 300 million customers milestone,” he said.
MTN revealed that it now serves more than 307 million voice subscribers, 172 million data users, and 70 million Mobile Money customers across 16 African markets, reflecting the continent’s growing demand for digital connectivity and financial services.
The operator credited its results to disciplined commercial execution and sustained investment in network infrastructure, with R38 billion spent during the year to expand capacity, improve coverage and enhance service quality.
The group reported that data traffic surged 27%, while average monthly data consumption per user climbed to 12.5GB, up from 10.8GB a year earlier, reflecting Africa’s fast-growing appetite for digital services.
Financially, the performance was driven by MTN’s largest markets.
In constant currency terms, MTN Nigeria grew service revenue by 54.9%, while MTN Ghana increased service revenue by 35.9%.
Meanwhile, MTN South Africa recorded 2% growth, demonstrating operational resilience in one of the continent’s most mature and competitive telecom markets.
MTN Group service revenue rose nearly a quarter to R218 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation climbed to R98.5 billion, supported by R3.6 billion in expense efficiencies.
Mupita stressed that the strong results translated into robust free cash flow and improved return generation, allowing the board to declare a dividend of 500 cents per share, up from 345 cents the previous year.
“This comfortably exceeds the minimum dividend of 370 cents we had previously guided,” he said.
The group also announced a R6 billion share buyback programme as part of an enhanced shareholder remuneration framework aimed at delivering stronger long-term returns.
Alongside its results, MTN unveiled Ambition 2030, a strategy centred on three platforms, connectivity, fintech and digital infrastructure, as it seeks to capture the next wave of growth driven by data adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.
“We are hugely excited about Africa’s potential. We are well positioned to leverage our scale, footprint and brand leadership to capture the significant structural growth opportunities identified,” said Mupita.
Source: IT Web Africa
CBN Introduces Stricter BVN Rules to Curb Fraudulent Transactions
Binance is Missing from Ghana’s Crypto Sandbox
Canal+ to Cut Jobs as Part Sweeping Restructuring
Activist Warns against Rising Junk Food Culture in Nigeria
World Bank Debars 3 PwC Subsidiaries for 21 Months over Alleged Project Fraud
Kaspersky Discovers New Phishing Campaign Exploiting Google Tasks Notifications to Steal Corporate Credentials
esentry 2025 Report Shows Healthcare, Financial Services and Telecoms as Staging Grounds for Increased Cyberattacks in Africa
AfDB, UNDP Launch $10Bn AI Initiative for Africa
Mutual Benefits Assurance Settles ₦5.9bn Claims in January 2026
MultiChoice Suspends Yearly DStv Price Hike as Canal+ Pushes Growth
E-Financial2 days agoKuda MFB Increases Kuda for Her Business Grants to ₦10 Million
News3 days agoKaspersky Discovers Infostealers Mimicking Claude Code, OpenClaw and Other AI Developer Tools
General News3 days agoBanks, Offices to Close for Thursday and Friday for Eid-el-Fitr
Telecom3 days agoNigeria, Ghana Trigger Stunning 45 Percent Surge in MTN Dividends
E-Financial3 days agoSEC Shuts Over 400 Fraudulent Investment Schemes, Arrests Operators
Telecom3 days agoATCIS Urges FG to Ensure Safety of Consumers Data
Telecom2 days agoVitel Wireless Lures Subscribers with “Data that Never Expires” Campaign
News2 days agoBoI, MTN Foundation Launch N1Bn Fund for Women Entrepreneurs