We’re addressing challenges in telecoms sector

Omeiza Bilal

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has said that the commission is working to remove all impediments hindering the delivery of world-class telecommunication services to Nigerians.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, Maida said the role of the NCC is not only to ensure accessibility but to enhance service delivery for consumers.”

According to him, Nigeria accounts for 132 million internet connections out of the estimated five billion internet users globally.

Maida said, “Nigerians spend an average of four hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives.

“In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39 per cent increase from the previous year, a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians’ leads.”

Maida said the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria had transformed from a powerhouse for e-commerce activities through high-speed internet services.

The NCC boss said, “With the rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G, we’ve seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more.

“The introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and email.

“The leap to 4G LTE brought faster speeds, enabling video streaming, online gaming, and a myriad of digital activities.

“Now, with 5G promising even faster speeds and lower latency, new frontiers are opening for innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things, driving further demand for data.”

The NCC boss pledged that the commission was prepared to remove all impediments hindering world-class services.

Maida said, “I would like to stress at the heart of the commission’s strategic vision is the commitment to meet the expectations of our stakeholders: the Consumers, the Industry/Licensees, and the Government.

“To achieve this, our focus has evolved from simply demanding quality service to ensuring a holistic Quality of Experience throughout the telecom consumer’s lifecycle, from SIM registration to usage and even service disposal. Our goal is for consumers to be consistently satisfied with telecom services.”