NCC lauds designation of telecoms infrastructure as critical national assets

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commended the federal government for classifying telecommunication infrastructure as critical national assets through a presidential order issued by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.

During the 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament held in Abuja, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the NCC, emphasized that this classification is essential for addressing the ongoing issues of vandalism and unauthorized access to telecom infrastructure across Nigeria.

“Vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure have significantly hindered operators’ ability to deliver quality services to consumers. This presidential order will greatly help in tackling these challenges,” Maida stated.

Maida also pointed out the broader obstacles facing the sector, including rising operational costs and macroeconomic pressures, which have limited operators’ capacity to invest in essential improvements.

He assured stakeholders that the NCC is actively working with other government agencies to address these issues and ensure the industry’s sustainability.

“We cannot overlook the effects of the current economic challenges on operators. The Commission is committed to working with stakeholders to find lasting solutions,” Maida said.

Despite these hurdles, Maida highlighted Nigeria’s significant progress in digital adoption over the last two decades. Globally, internet usage has surpassed 5 billion users, with Nigeria accounting for 132 million active connections.

“Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes daily on social media, far exceeding the global average. This reflects how deeply digital interaction is embedded in our daily lives,” he said.

In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage reached an average of 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year—a testament to the nation’s growing reliance on data-driven services.

The transition from basic voice services to innovations like 5G, smart cities, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has further accelerated this adoption.

With the rapid expansion of telecom services, Maida acknowledged growing concerns around data usage and billing transparency. To address these, the NCC introduced audits of the billing systems used by mobile network operators and internet service providers.

“While these audits have shown no significant anomalies, the perception of rapid data depletion persists. To address this, we launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness, educating users on smarter data management practices,” Maida explained.

The campaign has utilized various media platforms, including radio, television, newspapers, and SMS, to provide practical tips for optimizing data usage.

Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and fostering sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.