NCC

By Abdullahi Adamu

Whenever the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announces an electricity tariff increase, Nigerians brace for even worse power supply. Due to incessant national grid collapses and inadequate transmission by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), poor generation continues to plague the sector, yet tariffs keep rising.

Now, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is following the same path, approving telecom companies’ hikes in call and data service prices. Meanwhile, Nigerians suffer from poor network quality and unreliable internet services.

It seems these regulatory agencies have forgotten that their primary mandate is to protect consumers and ensure efficient service delivery, not just to rubber-stamp tariff increases for the companies they regulate. When will they start holding these service providers accountable instead of burdening citizens with higher costs for declining service quality?

The recent price hike by telecom companies in Nigeria has affected subscribers’ wallets and seems to have impacted the quality of network services.

It’s frustrating when you pay more for a service, but the quality doesn’t meet expectations. Poor network provision and services can affect productivity, communication, and daily life.

Despite the widespread complaints from Nigerians, it’s disappointing that the services provided by telecom companies have not significantly improved.

The regulators’ lack of response, such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is also concerning. It’s their responsibility to ensure that telecom companies provide quality services and protect consumers’ interests.

It’s time for Nigerians to continue to speak out and demand better services. 

Remember, collective action can lead to positive change.

Abdullahi Adamu wrote via nasabooyoyo@gmail.com.

By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

The Nigerian House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to block all pornography websites, arguing that adult content is fueling moral decay in the country.

Lawmakers behind the move claim it is necessary to protect societal values, but many Nigerians are asking: With all the pressing challenges facing the nation, is this the priority?

At a time when the cost of living is unbearable, insecurity is rampant, and unemployment continues to frustrate millions, banning pornography feels like a classic case of misplaced focus.

There is no doubt that pornography is a controversial topic, especially in a country as religious and conservative as Nigeria. Many believe it is a moral threat, linking it to addiction, broken homes, and declining values among the youth. But is an outright ban the solution?

If the government is genuinely concerned about morality, should it not focus on improving education, strengthening family values, and addressing the root causes of social vices? What about the rising cases of drug abuse, internet fraud, and sexual exploitation—issues that demand urgent action?

It is often easier for politicians to push symbolic laws than to tackle society’s deeper problems. But morality cannot be legislated; it is shaped by economic stability, good governance, and proper education.

Even if we assume the government is serious about this ban, another question arises: Can it actually be enforced? Countries like India, Indonesia, and China have attempted similar restrictions, only for people to bypass them with VPNs and other simple workarounds.

Nigeria, with its millions of tech-savvy youths, will be no different. At best, this ban will be a temporary roadblock; at worst, it will push the industry underground, making regulation even more difficult.

What is most concerning is the potential for this move to set a dangerous precedent for internet censorship in Nigeria. Today, it is pornography. Tomorrow, it could be news websites, social media platforms, or even political activism.

If the government can dictate what people access online, what stops it from controlling other forms of content? Where does it end?

Beyond the moral and censorship debates, an outright ban could also have unintended economic consequences. Nigeria’s creative and tech industries thrive on the internet’s openness.

Restrictions like this could discourage investment in the digital space. Besides, history has shown that banning something does not eliminate demand—it simply drives it underground.

This move may just create a bigger mess instead of solving anything. If the real concern is protecting children and upholding values, there are smarter ways to achieve this.

Many developed countries regulate adult content through strict age verification, parental control mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns. A more effective approach would involve educating young people about digital responsibility, empowering parents with monitoring tools, and addressing the economic and social conditions that contribute to moral decline.

With the economy in crisis, insecurity worsening, and corruption still unchecked, is banning pornography really what Nigerians need right now?

This is not to suggest that pornography is beneficial or free of consequences. However, governance revolves around priorities. A country that is struggling to feed its people should not waste energy on internet policing.

Nigeria’s progress will not depend on what it bans but rather on how effectively it addresses the fundamental issues that hold it back.

And unfortunately, a porn ban does nothing to fix them.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu, an NYSC serving corps member, writes from the Center for Crisis Communication (CCC) in Abuja. 

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the successful completion of the federal government’s policy linking all phone numbers in the country to a National Identification Number (NIN).

The NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, disclosed this during the 2024 annual corporate governance conference held in Lagos on Thursday.

Maida acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians encountered during the process but emphasized the benefits of the initiative.

“We have now fully implemented the government’s 2020 policy of linking phone numbers to NINs.

“Though the process was challenging for many, it is important to recognize the value it brings,” Maida said.

He further stated that every phone number in Nigeria is now associated with a verified NIN, enhancing security and accountability in telecommunications.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a public clarification regarding its earlier statement on Starlink’s subscription price hike, stating that it was released in error.

Initially, the NCC expressed surprise at Starlink’s announcement of new subscription rates in Nigeria, asserting that the company had not obtained regulatory approval for the price increase.

The Commission acknowledged that while Starlink had submitted a request for a price review, a decision had not yet been made.

The original statement also alluded to potential regulatory infractions under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

However, the NCC now clarifies that the previous statement was premature and has urged all media outlets to retract any related publications.

Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, stated, “We request that all media platforms kindly withdraw the previously issued statement on Starlink’s price hike, as it was issued in error.”

He further asked those who published the statement to remove it from their platforms.

The NCC remains dedicated to ensuring regulatory stability and creating a favorable environment for investment in the telecommunications sector, especially as stakeholders continue to call for a review of tariffs to encourage further investment.

The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the media and apologizes for any confusion or inconvenience caused by the earlier release.

By Uzair Adam

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has assured Nigerians that the enrolment, verification, authentication, and modification of National Identification Number (NIN) data are progressing smoothly, in preparation for the NIN-SIM linkage deadline set for September 14, 2024.

Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, stated that more than 10,000 enrolment centers across Nigeria and the diaspora remain operational to cater to the needs of the public.

He urged Nigerians and legal residents to visit these centers for NIN enrolment and reassured them that the process is free from extortion and unethical practices.

Adegoke also informed the public that those wishing to modify their NIN data can do so via the NIMC Self-Service portal.

The NIMC reaffirmed its dedication to providing top-quality identity management services while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards extortion and unethical conduct.

For further enquiries, the commission directed users to its official website.

By Ibrahym El-Caleel

StarLink is a distant competitor to our telcos. The product price edges it out of immediate competition with MTN, Airtel and co. However, it is good that it is already here. In fact it will definitely gain a fair share from some businesses who have been looking for an alternative to the existing telcos.

Setting up StarLink costs more than N400,000. Personally I think it will be a better buy for businesses who spend about 60-75% of this amount for internet access. They will be bidding farewell to the periodic disappointments we experience from the contemporary telcos.

Market is dynamic. As StarLink takes some time in Nigeria, it will be ambitious about increasing its market share. It will be innovative about coming up with something that will be relatively affordable for the teeming internet subscribers. This is when the true competition will begin. For now, the penetration will be low because at the moment a lot of Nigerians are quite very rich. The consumer conversion will be minimal.

MTN began in Nigeria with N1,500 airtime card only. And it expires in 7 days. If you don’t use the airtime after 7 days, you have to buy another one. This was the case c.2001. Fast forward to 2021, you can have a N100 airtime and keep it for one year if you so wish. StarLink might have to develop something cheaper to get more subscribers onboard. If your things are expensive, you can sell it and make money in Nigeria. If they are affordable to many, you make quicker turnover, bigger sales, (arguably) more profit. This is Nigerian market.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed that all providers of telecommunications services roll back the increased pricing adjustments for a select number of voice and data services.

This was revealed in a statement released on Wednesday by Reuben Muoka, head of public affairs at NCC.

The commission instructed the involved Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reverse the increased price adjustment in a letter dated October 12, 2022, adding that the service providers’ networks’ unilateral 10 per cent upward price increases for some phone and data services had been approved and put into effect.

It noted that the order was issued in order to allow for further consultation for the good of both the service providers and consumers.

“The consideration for 10 per cent approval for tariff adjustments for different voice and data packages was in line with the mandates of the commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines, as this was within the provisions of the existing price floor and price cap as determined for the industry,” the commission said.

“The decision was also taken after a critical and realistic review and analysis of the operational environment and the current business climate in Nigeria, as it affects all sectors of the economy.

“Furthermore, even though the tariff adjustment was proposed and provisionally approved by the management, pending the final approval of the board of the commission, in the end, it did not have the approval of the board of the commission. As a result, it is reversed.

“The honourable minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has maintained that his priority is to protect the citizens and ensure justice to all stakeholders involved. As such, anything that will bring more hardship at this critical time will not be accepted.  

“This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed 5 per cent excise duty in order to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators. Much as there is an increase in the cost of production, the provision of telecom services is still very profitable, and the subscribers mustn’t be subjected to a hike in charges.”

By Aisar Fagge

One of the leading telecommunication companies, MTN Nigeria Communication PLC, has been sued at Federal High Court for poor quality service delivery, invasion of privacy and nonchalant attitude towards genuine complaint of the plaintiffs’ request and therefore demands over 600 million naira as damages.

Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami were also part of the suit for breach of statutory duty to protect the interest of the plaintiffs and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Communications Act, 2005.

The case was filed by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Barrister Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude and the defendants were served with about 150 pages of process on May 12, 2022, and were given 30 days to respond or face the wrath of the court.

According to the plaintiffs, Barrister Ishaq Abubakar Baba and Barrister Shamsi Ubale Jibril who is the staff of Kano State Polytechnic, on November 24, 2021, between the hours of 8:00 pm and 12 midnight, and also on December 13, 2021, around 7:40 pm and 8:45 pm, the MTN Nigeria PLC deprived them a business opportunity with their clients all because of their poor network service delivery which has caused them serious economic loss and mental injury.

In addition, the plaintiffs also complained of receiving disgusting unsolicited SMS from third parties which were allowed by the MTN. This constitutes a violation of their privacy of telephone conversation and telegraphic communication guaranteed to them by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The counsel of the plaintiffs seeks “An order of this honourable court awarding the sum of N 50,000,000 (fifty million naira only) against the 1st defendant (MTN) in favour of the plaintiffs for invasion of their right to privacy . . . .”

“An order of this honourable court awarding the sum of N 500,000,000 (five hundred million naira only) to the plaintiffs as exemplary damages against the 1st defendant (MTN) for aggravating their damage through its act of continued . . . “, part of the process reads.

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

Nigerians may have to pay more for calls and data as telecommunication companies proposed a new tariff increase of 40 per cent. They made this known in a letter sent to the Nigerian Communications Commission titled, ‘Impact of the Economic and Security Issues on the Telecommunications Sector’.

The telecommunications companies wrote the letter under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria to the NCC.

According to The Daily Reality sources, the Telcos have proposed the price floor of calls will increase from N6.4 to N8.95 while the price cap of SMS will increase from N4 to N5.61.

The Telcos noted that the increase in energy costs had impacted their operating expenses by 35 per cent, Our Source added. 

The Telcos, which include MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, also said that the introduction of the recent excise duty of five per cent on telecom services had further increased the burden of multiple taxes and levies on the industry. 

The letter read in part:

 “As the commission may be aware, the power sector, under the supervision of its Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission of the power sector in November 2020, undertook a review of electricity tariffs to cater for the economic headwinds reported above.

“In view of the foregoing, ALTON considers it expedient for the telecommunications sector to undergo periodic cost adjustments through the commission’s intervention in order to minimise the impact of the challenging economic issues faced by our members.

“Upward review of the price determination for voice and data and SMS. Given the state of the economy and the circa 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business, we wish to request for an interim administrative review of the mobile (voice) termination rate for voice; administrative data floor price, and cost of SMS as reflected in extant instruments.

“With respect to voice an SMS cost, ALTON respectfully requests the commission to consider a mark-up approach to address the upward price adjustment desirable for the industry. We have enclosed herein and marked as ‘Annexure 1’our proposal in that regard.

“For data services, we wish to request that the commission implements the recommendations in the August 2020 KPMG report on the determination of cost-based pricing for wholesale and retail broadband service in Nigeria. Excerpts from the report, are attached and marked ‘Annexure 2’ to provide a further illustration.

“In implementing the said recommendations, however, we recommend that the 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business be factored in to arrive at a cost price per GB in view of the current economic situation.” 

By Muhammadu Sabiu

President Muhammadu Buhari has been given a 72-hour deadline by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to rescind the decision to block the mobile connections of 72 million Nigerians.

SERAP tells the president to order the Minister of Communications, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately revoke the seemingly unlawful decision to prevent over 72 million active telecommunication subscribers from making calls on their SIMs.

Recall that the Federal Government ‘directed’ telecoms firms this week to stop outgoing calls on all unlinked lines after the verification deadline passed on March 31.

Over 72 million users have been prevented from making calls as a result of the directive.

SERAP, on the other hand, said that prohibiting people from making calls constituted an infringement on their right to free expression.