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NCC Says Consumers Remain its Focal Point

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Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said the Commission will abide by all the tenets of consumer rights in its day-to-day activities.

NCC Says Consumers Remain its Focal Pointncc

It said that with consumers’ interest and how they could get better quality of services is the commission’s focal point.

Dr. Henry Nkemadu, director,  Public Affairs, NCC said the EVC’s statement underpins activities of the regulatory agency, which has manifest oversight functions over the various network operators in Nigeria, as Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to mark the World Consumer’s Right Day (WCRD) on March 15, 2020.

He quoted the EVC as saying that the NCC had put in place a series of initiatives to always address the concerns of and protect the interest of the consumers in line with the theme of this year’s WCRD: ‘The Sustainable Consumer.’

For instance, the Commission has, over the years, hosted the flagship Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), where consumer issues are discussed extensively in a high- profile session where the regulator, operators, and consumers interact and answers got in the process. Eighty-eight of such parliaments have been held so far in the major cities across Nigeria.

Besides, no fewer than 110 Consumer Outreach Programmes (COPs) have been held.

The event holds monthly in urban centres in the country.

Also, Consumer Town Hall Meetings (CTM), which exclusively holds in rural communities, has been well received across the land. So far, 53 of such events have taken place.

There have also been Elite Enlightenment Campaigns targeted at professional organisations during their yearly conferences. This is done to carry along the high- profile professionals, who may not have enough time to participate in the TCP, COP, and CTMs which hold regularly.

There are campaigns too to empower the Nigerian youth through information and awareness creation regarding their rights and obligations within the Nigerian telecom industry as well as apprising them about the consumer protection initiatives of the Commission.

“We participate in trade fairs where we engage the consumer on a one-on-one basis,” the EVC said.

According to the EVC, the Commission has developed and produced consumer education materials on major telecom issues for distribution.

The developed factsheets are translated into the three major languages (Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba) including Pidgin.

Such materials cover the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 campaign, Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Registration and Replacement, role of NCC in consumer protection, among others.

The Commission has also put in place different channels for lodging consumer complaints. These include:

  • The NCC 622 Toll-Free Number for escalating unresolved complaints to NCC contact centre and for seeking redress is working. The centre opens from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. every day except on Sunday and national public holidays. There has been consistent campaign on the 622 NCC Toll-Free Line.
  • Consumer Portal – The portal is an alternative online channel for lodging complaints and making enquiries. The portal is available 24 hours and can be accessed via: www.ncc.gov.ng/consumer
  • Management of twitter account (@consumersncc) for disseminating information to consumers. The twitter account is updated with current topical issues of interest to consumers and it currently has 10,700 followers (consumers).
  • Consistent campaign has attracted 22,487,849 subscribers on DND services as of December 2019.
  • Regular monitoring of service providers’ helplines to ensure that the threshold set by the Commission is met i.e. the number of rings before connecting to Interactive Voice Response (IVR), the connection of calls to live agents, percentage of failed attempts to customer care helplines, etc.
  • Review of the Complaint Categories and Service Level Agreements (CC/SLAs) on the complaint management in view of recent technological advancements.
  • Coordination of Consumer Protection Special Intervention Initiatives such as:
  1. Strategic Bi-Annual Meeting with Senior Executive Directors of Telcos on Complaint Management.
  2. Constitution of a Multi-Sectorial Working Group on E-Fraud.
  3. Development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant stakeholders on E-Fraud.
  • Periodic visits to Service Providers’ call centres to monitor real-time handling of consumer complaints on the quality of service (QoS) and assurance, among others.

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Telecom

Airtel Nigeria Leads Telecom Market Surge

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In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.

According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.

In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.

Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.

Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.

This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.

Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.

 


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Airtel Boosts NIPR Public Relations Week with Onsite Unlimited Data Connection

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Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.

The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.

“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”

According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.

Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.

With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.

Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.


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World Earth Day: Kuda Partners with Wecyclers to Clean up Communities in Lagos

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In a landmark partnership aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices, Kuda Microfinance Bank and Wecyclers collaborated to commemorate World Earth Day on April 22, 2024. The collaboration featured a series of impactful activities designed to raise awareness and foster environmental stewardship.

The activities on the day included a webinar session facilitated by renowned expert in environmental management and head of ESG at Wecyclers, Omobolanle Olowu, during which she shared startling data on plastic pollution in Nigeria. She also discussed the importance of proper waste management and its significance in preserving the planet for future generations, providing valuable insights and practical tips on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.

In a published study on plastic pollution in Nigeria, the country ranked ninth globally for plastic pollution with an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually and less than 12% of those waste materials recycled.

Also on the day, Kuda staff volunteered for an environmental cleanup exercise, during which they took to parts of Apapa Road, Ebute Metta to empty gutters and collect plastics and other recyclable materials for recycling.

In addition, volunteers from Kuda gained firsthand knowledge of innovative waste management solutions during a guided tour of Wecyclers’ facility in Ebute Metta. The tour showcased Wecyclers’ pioneering efforts in recycling and waste upcycling, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to address environmental challenges effectively.

Speaking about the collaboration, Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi, Senior Brand Manager at Kuda, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential to drive positive change. “We [Kuda] are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. We also believe that our responsibility is not only to our customers and other stakeholders but also the environment that we all share. Partnering with Wecyclers allows us to inspire communities to adopt eco-friendly practices,” he said.

“Our initiatives towards achieving a sustainable environment and achieving a green earth goes beyond just recycling. We aim to inspire a broader commitment to waste minimization, reusing materials and proper sustainable waste management. As we commemorate World Earth Day, we encourage our staff, customers and general public as a whole to embrace actions that promote a green, safe earth for all,” he added.

Likewise, Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Head, Human Resources and Partnerships at Wecyclers, emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental issues. “It is very important for organisations to collaborate on initiatives that help save the environment. We are excited about this partnership because such partnerships are crucial to creating awareness and educating people about the impact of plastic waste on the planet and how they can contribute to a change that we all deserve.”

Kuda’s collaboration with Wecyclers emphasises its commitment to sustainability and championing proactive efforts through education, engagement and action to create an environmentally conscious population and a sustainable tomorrow.


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