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NCC Takes Campus Conversation to BUK, Enlightens Students on Rights, Privileges as Telecoms Consumers

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has hosted another edition of Campus Conversation (CC), at the weekend in Bayero University, Kano (BUK), where officials of the Commission engaged in intensive enlightenment of students of the varsity on their rights and privileges as telecoms consumers.

Campus Conversation is a sub-programme of the Telecom Conversations (TCs), a modified consumer information and education outreach programme in the purview of NCC’s Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB). It consists of six sub-programmes, all conceived to target different categories of telecom consumers in order to empower them with the right information they require to make informed decisions.

Addressing a large gathering of students during the CC recently, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Efosa Idehen, said the Conversation at BUK is the fourth edition in a series, organized to enlighten the student segment of telecom consumers about their rights, privileges and obligations to enhance quality of experience in respect of telecom services.

The Conversation had earlier taken place at the University of Abuja, University of Benin, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Represented by the Head, Consumer Policy Development and Monitoring, Hafsat Lawal, Idehen said the objective of the CC is to ensure that telecom consumers on university campuses are adequately informed and educated on their rights and privileges.

Additionally, Idehen said, through the Conversation, students as telecoms consumers are able to acquire knowledge to make informed decisions and be able to protect themselves from unwholesome practices by service providers.

The Director Consumer Affairs outlined numerous channels the NCC had emplaced for aggrieved consumers to seek redress. These channels include the NCC Consumer Portal through which consumers can lodge complaints and also learn about consumer-centric activities of the Commission.

Other initiatives include the NCC 622 toll-free number, a second-level complaint mechanism for telecoms consumers to escalate complaints earlier lodged with their service providers which have not been addressed satisfactorily.

The Director also mentioned NCC’s corporate social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as through correspondence via the NCC official email address (ncc@ncc.gov.ng).

Idehen told the students to take advantage of all the NCC channels of communication to get redress in terms of resolution of their telecom service-related complaints.

Also speaking at the event, NCC’s Director, New Media and Information Security, Dr. Alhassan Haru, emphasised the importance of cyber awareness and vigilance.

He said as NCC works with all stakeholders to enhance accessibility to the Internet for more people, cyber criminals are also on the prowl to defraud unsuspecting users of the Internet.

Thus, Haru said, “We constantly encourage the youths, especially students in universities, who are the largest individual users of the Internet to use Internet for legitimate activities and more importantly to be conscious of cyber criminals.

“So, at NCC, we also ensure that we educate you in order to ensure a safe cyberspace space experience for all Nigerians.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Head, Consumer Information and Education at NCC, Mistura Aruna, said the Commission had put in place a number of consumer-centric initiatives that CAB has been mandated to take to all shades of stakeholders.

She added that this mandate is in line with the NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) and other policy documents of the Federal Government, all of which have been streamlined in the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 with emphasis and focus on strengthening consumer protection and empowerment.

The students, who participated at the event, enthusiastically engaged in the conversation process, asking questions to seek more clarification on telecom service-related services.

The Commission also distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the students so they can easily reference for effective and rewarding engagement with their service providers and the Commission.

Besides Campus Conversation, other types of the Telecom Conversations are: Telecom Public Sphere, Market Conversation, Professionals’ Dialogue, Village Square Dialogue, and the NYSC Sensitization.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Nigeria First Policy: FG Reaffirms Galaxy Backbone as ICT Provider

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Federal government , through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), has issued a circular reaffirming its commitment to leveraging the substantial investment in the National Information Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB), for the benefit of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Nigeria First Policy: FG Reaffirms Galaxy Backbone as ICT Provider

Chidi Okpala, spokesperson for Galaxy Backbone Ltd, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The directive, issued in line with the Nigeria First Policy, endorsed Galaxy Backbone Limited, as the designated provider of ICT infrastructure for federal government institutions.

Commenting, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, managing director, Galaxy Backbone Ltd, reiterated that the agency is well positioned to actualise the Nigeria First Policy in the country’s ICT sector.

“We have repositioned our organisation in such a way that the MDAs experience the quality, reliability, and innovation of our services, and they can see us as a partner in their digital transformation journey.

“Our pledge is to listen, collaborate, and provide tailored digital infrastructure solutions that meet the unique needs of each agency, while ensuring Nigeria’s data remains safe within our borders,” he said.

According to him, federal government MDAs are expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and contribute directly to national economic growth through the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy.

Galaxy Backbone Ltd was established by the Federal Government with the core mandate of ensuring data sovereignty through a centralised e-government platform that offers secure connectivity and related ICT services.

 

 


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FG Reaffirms Galaxy Backbone as Its ICT Infrastructure Provider Under Nigeria First Policy

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The Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), has issued a circular reinforcing its commitment to leveraging the substantial investment in the National Information Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) for the benefit of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

This directive, in line with the Nigeria First Policy, endorses the use of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) as the designated provider of ICT infrastructure for Federal Government Institutions, covering IP-network services, data centre hosting, and related infrastructure solutions.

GBB was established by the Federal Government with the core responsibility of ensuring data sovereignty through a centralized e-government platform that offers secure connectivity and related ICT services. Over the years, the organization has consistently invested in upgrading its capacity, achieving multiple international certifications and recertifications that position it as a provider of world-class, secure, and reliable technology services.

With this renewed endorsement, GBB is also officially positioned as the Government Data Exchange Platform and the interoperability layer for the nation’s Digital Public Infrastructure implementation, reinforcing its role as the body that coordinates, manages, and integrates all federal digital infrastructure and services, ensuring they comply with Nigeria’s data sovereignty goals and work harmoniously as part of the nation’s digital public Infrastructure.

While this directive ensures compliance with the Nigeria First Policy, GBB emphasizes that its mission is to deliver excellence through building trust and collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA). Federal Government Institutions currently hosting data abroad are encouraged to migrate to GBB’s secure platforms, confident in the assurance of improved service delivery, enhanced security, and alignment with global best practices.

“We have repositioned our organisation in such a way that the MDAs experience the quality, reliability, and innovation of our services and they can see in us as a partner in their digital transformation journey,” said Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO, GBB.

He further reiterated; “Our pledge is to listen, collaborate, and provide tailored digital infrastructure solutions that meet the unique needs of each agency, while ensuring Nigeria’s data remains safe within our borders.”

GBB’s commitment is rooted in service excellence, security, and innovation; principles backed by its ISO certifications and global standard operating frameworks. This renewed collaboration between GBB and MDAs is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and contribute directly to national economic growth.


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Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Nigeria’s Untapped Opportunity for Training, Patient Care, and Medical Innovation

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Across the world, Virtual Reality (VR) is proving to be far more than a gaming technology. In healthcare, it is emerging as a practical solution to train professionals, improve patient care, and speed up medical innovation. For Nigeria — where health facilities face workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, and tight budgets — VR offers a unique chance to leapfrog into modern practices without the prohibitive cost of traditional methods.

Training Without Risk, Learning Without Limits

One of the biggest hurdles in healthcare is preparing professionals for real-life emergencies. Nursing students can read about procedures in textbooks, but they need hands-on experience to master them. VR bridges this gap by simulating real hospital scenarios: inserting an IV line, performing CPR, or managing a trauma patient — all in a safe, repeatable virtual environment.

Emergency response teams can also rehearse disaster situations, from mass-casualty events to fire outbreaks, without risking lives or resources. Instead of waiting for rare live drills, responders can practice repeatedly in lifelike VR settings until every step becomes second nature.

Across Nigeria, a new wave of innovators, like Insightful3d Studio, is developing these immersive training programs locally. By building high-quality VR modules tailored for Nigerian hospitals, universities, and teaching centers, they reduce dependence on expensive foreign programs and make advanced training more affordable.

Improving Patient Understanding and Confidence

VR isn’t just for training staff. Patients can also benefit. For example, a woman preparing for childbirth can take a guided virtual tour of a delivery room to reduce anxiety. A family deciding on surgery can visualize what the procedure involves and better understand the risks and benefits. When people clearly see what to expect, trust in medical care increases — and so do positive outcomes.

A Platform for Local Innovation

VR also allows medical teams in Lagos or Abuja to collaborate seamlessly with specialists abroad. They can jointly review virtual models of medical cases, discuss treatment options, and learn new techniques in real time. For research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, VR provides an interactive environment to test ideas faster and with fewer physical resources.

Nigeria’s Window of Opportunity

Globally, VR in healthcare is growing rapidly — projected to become a multi-billion-dollar industry this decade. Nigeria does not need to be a latecomer. With forward-thinking hospitals, training schools, and government support, the country can develop home-grown solutions instead of importing them at high cost.

Companies like Insightful3d Studio are proving that this is not futuristic wishful thinking — it is already happening. The real question is not whether VR belongs in Nigerian healthcare, but how quickly hospitals, regulators, and investors will adopt it. Early movers will improve patient outcomes, cut training costs, and set a new standard for African healthcare.


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