Telecom
NCC Overhauls Regulatory Instruments, Management Tools for Operational Efficiency
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it is adjusting regulatory instruments and management tools to ensure regulations are fit for future imperatives of a robust telecoms sector.
L-R: Quassim Odunmbaku, Special Assistant, ECSM’s office, NCC; Abulaziz Adamu, Assistant Director, Commission Secretariat, NCC; Helen Obi, Head, Telecoms Law and Regulations, NCC; Hafsat Lawal, Head, Consumer Policy Development and Monitoring, NCC: Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), NCC; Yetunde Akinloye, Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC; Afure Iloka, Special Assistant (Legal) to the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; June Nwachukwu, Assistant Director, Legal Services, NCC; and Ibe Ngwoke, Principal Manager, Commission Secretariat, NCC.
Adeleke Adewolu, executive commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), NCC,stated this when he spoke at a panel session at the 2021 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Port Harcourt. The general theme of the Conference is, ‘Taking the Lead’.
Adewolu, who made the declaration in a panel discussion focused on Government Regulation of Innovation and Technology, said, “In specific terms, we are taking action in the following areas: We are adjusting regulatory instruments and management tools to ensure regulations are fit for the future.
“An example is our ongoing review of the Telephone Subscriber Registration Regulations to strengthen the framework for digital identity; and the review of the Spectrum Trading Guidelines to ensure more efficient use of spectrum.”
Also, the ECSM said NCC is laying institutional foundations to enable co-operation with other regulatory institutions and international organisations such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The Commission, according to Adewolu, is also developing and adapting governance frameworks to enable the development of agile and future-proof regulation; and equally adapting regulatory enforcement activities to the “new normal”. He said this is to ensure alignment with the rapid technological changes and innovations that are emerging at a high speed and with sophistication.
On censorship, particularly tackling illegal and harmful content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, Adeleke said NCC had to opt for “a middle ground that promotes safe use of digital service platforms without necessarily stifling the exercise of the citizen’s right to free expression as guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution.”
He explained that on technology platforms, censorship manifests in three scenarios, namely, restriction of person-to-person communications; restriction of Internet access generally; or restriction of access to specific content, which governments find objectionable.
This, he said, was pursuant to constitutional provisions such as those in Section 39(3) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, which approves “any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society to prevent the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of courts or regulating telephony, wireless broadcasting, television or the exhibition of cinematograph films.”
In particular, Adewolu declared that the third scenario is globally recognised as the ideal situation because one of the core responsibilities of government (as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution) is to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.
Explicating further, Adewolu said that social media platforms allow instant communications without regard for impact or consequences. He insisted that self-regulation is possible, but “as we have experienced over and over again, an ill-considered post on social media can easily incite unrest and crises.”
He bemoaned the fact that leading social media platforms have demonstrated a rather unfortunate reluctance to moderate the use of their platforms for subversion and harm. “So, we cannot trust them to self-regulate,” he emphasised.
According to him, self-regulation has not been very effective, and interestingly, “the largest platforms are global platforms and many of them are protected by their home governments.”
For instance, “Sc.230 of US Communications Act provides immunity to firms like Facebook and Google from responsibility for content disseminated on their media, although they still apply fair usage and community rules which enables them to self-regulate. However, as we saw with the case of the former US President Donald Trump – people are often able to disseminate negative content for a while before they are cut off. Mr Trump had over 87 million followers he engaged directly with,” the ECSM stated.
Another example he cited happened just few days ago when CNN reported that Facebook deliberately failed to curb posts inciting violence in Ethiopia despite the fact that its own staff flagged such posts, and that Ethiopia is listed as a high-priority zone, which has been fighting a civil war for the past one year. As Adewolu recalled, the UN Secretary General recently called for the regulation of social media platforms, and even the CEO of Facebook has made similar calls in the past.
“So, we cannot wholly depend on self-regulation. And whilst we cannot prevent citizens from freely expressing themselves on these platforms, it would be irresponsible for any government to allow unbridled use of these mediated communication to cause chaos and imperil lives and property. Government must act to protect social cohesion and national security,” he counselled.
Airtel, one of Africa’s leading telecommunications providers, has launched a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Spam Alert Service in Nigeria, aimed at tackling the growing issues of spam messages and fraud.
Speaking at the launch event held in Lagos, Dinesh Balsingh, Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, revealed that the innovative service will be rolled out across Airtel’s 14-country footprint.
Notably, Airtel subscribers in Nigeria can access the service at no additional cost.
The AI-powered solution detects and alerts users in real-time about suspected spam SMS, safeguarding them from potential fraud and cyber threats.
Highlighting the company’s commitment to technology-driven customer solutions, Balsingh said, “this is a game changer for the telecoms industry in Africa and as we move forward, we will continue to address customer challenges through proactive tech-driven solutions.”
The service is built on a proprietary dual-layer protection system that analyses over 250 parameters, including sender behavior, SMS frequency, and target location patterns.
Capable of filtering over 1.5 billion messages within two milliseconds, it also features a centralised database of blacklisted URLs to warn users about suspicious links.
“With the launch of this AI-powered Spam Alert Service, Airtel Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance customer experience, safety, and digital inclusion across the continent.
“As Airtel continues to expand its footprint, it is expected that this pioneering solution will set a new standard for the telecoms industry in Africa.
“Also, as the digital landscape continues to evolve, Airtel Africa remains at the forefront, pushing boundaries and shaping the future of telecommunications in Africa,” said Balsingh.
He emphasised that as Airtel continues to expand, the pioneering solution will set new benchmarks for Africa’s telecom industry.
The initiative has received commendation from key stakeholders, including Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Dr. Tijani lauded Airtel’s efforts in boosting Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, particularly through solutions that enhance online security and foster digital inclusion.
Similarly, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, hailed the service as a major step in addressing the security challenges faced by telecom subscribers.
As the digital landscape evolves, Airtel Africa continues to push the boundaries of innovation, shaping the future of telecommunications across the continent.
The Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance & Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) recently embarked on a historic working visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Headquarters in Abuja.
The LASIMRA delegation was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi, alongside members of the senior management team.
The delegation was warmly received by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the Commission’s management team. The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between LASIMRA and NCC towards improving the telecommunications sector in Lagos State.
The meeting was further enriched by the presence of representatives from the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), including the Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Udeh.
Discussions focused on addressing critical issues affecting the industry, with particular emphasis on the security and protection of telecom infrastructure.
LASIMRA reiterated the need for effective oversight and safeguarding of these essential assets under the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.
A key highlight of the meeting was the Tower Enumeration Project—a comprehensive audit initiative aimed at identifying all distressing communication infrastructure across Lagos.
LASIMRA also raised concerns about damages to public infrastructure caused by some operators during fibre deployment and reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing appropriate penalties to preserve public assets.
The parties agreed on the importance of a unified strategy involving NCC, LASIMRA and other stakeholders to bring order to the sector, improve connectivity, and ensure widespread access to high-quality telecommunications services across Lagos.
LASIMRA expresses its sincere appreciation to the NCC for its support and collaboration. Together, we remain committed to building a more connected, secure, and digitally inclusive Lagos.
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recent increase in tariffs by telecommunications companies in Nigeria, threatening to embark on a nationwide protest to compel a reversal.
In a statement jointly signed on Thursday in Abuja by Comrade Anzaku Shedrack Ovye, national secretary-general, NANS and Comrade Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, the student body gave the Federal Government and telecommunications companies a 72-hour ultimatum to reverse the tariff increase.
The students warned that upon the expiration of the ultimatum, students across the country would be mobilized for a series of street protests nationwide to ensure a reversal.
They argued that the arbitrary action of telecommunications companies has further exacerbated the financial burden on millions of Nigerians, particularly students and youths, who are among the dominant end-users of their services.
The statement read in part:
“This decision, which has led to a significant rise in the cost of calls, data, and other communication services, is both unjustifiable and insensitive, given the prevailing economic challenges faced by the populace.
“NANS views this development as a blatant disregard for the welfare of Nigerian citizens and an affront to the principles of affordability and accessibility that should govern the telecommunications sector.
“This administration is committed to promoting the welfare of Nigerian students; hence, it will vehemently oppose any tendency that does not align with this vision.
“NANS is deeply concerned about the adverse impact this tariff hike will have on students, many of whom rely heavily on affordable telecommunications services for academic research, virtual learning, and staying connected with their families.
“Therefore, it is worrisome to comprehend the justifications for these increments, as NANS considers this action a direct threat to the security of Nigerian students and an attempt to further impede their ability to navigate their academic endeavors, maintain familial connections, and secure legitimate personal incomes, particularly for independent students responsible for their upkeep.
“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to telecommunications companies, the Honourable Minister for Innovation, Digital and Blue Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to reverse this tariff increase and provide a clear roadmap for ensuring affordable telecommunications services for all Nigerians.
“Failure to comply with this ultimatum will leave NANS with no choice but to mobilize students across the nation for a series of peaceful protests to demand justice, accountability, and a comprehensive audit of activities in the telecommunications sector,” NANS stated.
The leadership of NANS maintained that as student representatives, they would not stand idly by while the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, which they have vowed to protect, are trampled upon by greed, “corporate capitalism,” and regulatory complicity.
NANS also called on the Federal Government to intervene promptly and decisively to address this issue.
Additionally, they urged telecommunications companies to prioritize the interests of their customers over profit margins and to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to find sustainable solutions rather than inflict further hardship on Nigerians who are already struggling economically.
“As the voice of Nigerian students, NANS remains committed to advocating for policies and actions that promote equity, fairness, and the overall well-being of all Nigerians.
“We will continue to hold all parties and duty-bearers accountable to ensure that the rights of students and citizens are protected,” the statement added.
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