In a groundbreaking move to simplify telecom services and enhance consumer protection, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), under the leadership of Dr. Aminu Maida, is set to revolutionise the telecommunications sector. The commission has announced plans to streamline the current 369 telecom tariff plans across providers like MTN, Glo, and others. This initiative, which aims to make the sector more consumer-friendly, will take effect on or before December 31, 2024. The NCC’s new “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector” limits telecom operators to a maximum of 100 bundles and seven tariff options. This move addresses the rampant confusion caused by the excessive proliferation of tariff plans. Dr. Maida emphasized the need for clarity during the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, noting that promotions disguised as tariff plans have compounded the complexity, leaving consumers struggling to make informed choices. “Telecom operators must provide clear and accessible information on data plans and pricing. This transparency will empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about their data usage and billing,” Maida stated. The NCC’s approach mirrors the success of India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI), which, in 2004, capped telecom providers at 25 tariff options to enhance billing transparency and consumer understanding. The NCC sees this as a proven strategy for simplifying services and ensuring that consumers are not overwhelmed by an excess of plans. One of the NCC’s primary concerns has been the confusion stemming from promotional offers. According to an NCC official, “Consumers often subscribe to promotions that promise bonuses but are unaware that these promos are charged at higher rates, leading to faster depletion of airtime.” To address this, the NCC has mandated that all bonuses align with established price floors and caps. Operators must also clearly advertise promotional allowances in specific terms, such as naira, minutes, seconds, gigabytes, or megabytes. Telecom operators will be required to provide customers with detailed tables outlining all tariff plans, billing rates, and terms and conditions. Changes to tariff plans must be communicated to subscribers at least 30 days in advance, ensuring ample time for customers to assess their options. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), commended the NCC’s move, noting that simpler, more transparent data plans will eliminate confusion and improve customer experience. Dr. Aminu Maida’s vision for a more customer-friendly telecommunications sector is evident in these reforms. By enforcing limits on tariff plans, requiring transparent billing practices, and ensuring consumer protection, the NCC is ushering in an era of simplicity and trust in the industry. As Nigeria moves toward full implementation of these reforms, subscribers can look forward to greater clarity, better service quality, and a telecom environment that prioritizes their needs above all else.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit filed by 16 states of Nigeria challenging the legality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two other anti-corruption agencies. The other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). A seven-member panel of justices, in a unanimous judgment today, November 15, held that the suit was unmeritorious. In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the Supreme Court quashed the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs. The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence. It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the State Houses of Assembly. Source: Promptnews.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is believed to be working to ensure that the about 153 million subscribers in the sector are only exposed to seven tariff plans, especially on data services. This is coming against the background of several complaints and confusions that have greeted close to 400 different tariff plans currently in existence. It is discovered that there are 369 tariff plans for both voice and data services in the sector, largely from mobile network operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, Globacon and 9mobile. The Director of Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission ((NCC), Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, gave a hint on this at a media capacity training for journalists in Lagos, yesterday, November 14, when said that the Commission is working to streamline MNOs to seven tariff plans each for data services, which will be bundled in about 100 to include SMS, data and promos, for better understanding of the users and easy monitoring by the NCC. Against this background, MTN as the largest operator, currently has 159 tariffs, with 14 for voice and 145 for data. Airtel has 27 for voice and 41 for data services. Globacom has six for voice and 32 for data, while 9mobile with seven voice plans and 97 for data.
A significant proportion of the tariffs are currently being presented by the providers as promos and were originally promos that were subsequently converted into tariff plans, which present pricing uncertainty and diversity of plans. On pricing, operators apply different effective tariffs to bonus accounts, resulting in different tariffs for the main account and bonus account, and this information is not communicated to consumers, which may lead to uninformed decision.
The Commission is insisting that all current ‘tariffs’ featuring bonuses or promotional elements should be classified strictly as promotions and thus should be submitted to the Consumer Affairs Bureau for quality-of-service evaluation. Telecoms operators will be mandated to explain all benefits or allowances (voice SMS and Data) in a clear, uniform and user-friendly format that is the number of minutes/SMS, cost per minute/SMS, available and total data in MG/GB and validity periods. “Similar to the India experience, the Commission has placed a limit on the number of tariff plans an operator can offer at any given point in time,” a source hinted. The Commission wants tariff to be simplified, and targeted at bringing transparency to the sector and reducing complaints.
It’s observed that aside from complaints around poor services, tariff extortion is another major challenge of subscribers, “and we are looking at it critically.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has started a two-day training programme for select media practitioners on emerging trends in telecoms and Information Communication Technology (ICT). The Commission said that the training, which began yesterday, November 14, has been designed to keep telecoms and ICT reporters abreast of emerging trends, regulatory strides and prospects in the telecoms industry. The Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, kick-started the training by stressing that it was in line with the vision of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida. He said that Dr. Maida insisted that its stakeholders and media partners should learn, relearn and well equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. Meanwhile, in a lecture, titled: “Overview of the Nigerian Telecoms Industry and the Roles of the NCC,” a top management staff of the Commission, Nwanko Okorie, said that the responsibility of the NCC, as a regulatory agency, is to protect younger operators and ensure that giant operators do not stifle them out of the market. She advised the Commission to allow for healthy competition and ensure discourage monopoly in the telecommunications industry. According to Okorie, as at September 2024, there were 153 million GSM subscribers in the country. “A lot of people will question why we have 153 million subscribers from the previous 198 million. This is because of the SIM-NIN linkage. “When we did that SIM-NIN linkage, we found out that so many numbers were not in use. “So when we now deactivated those numbers, the number of subscribers came down to 153 million and the broadband penetration of the 3G and 4G is about 41.66 per cent. “The telecoms industry has contributed about 16 per cent of the GDP. “Some people will tell you that telecommunication is the next oil.” Other speakers spoke on various topical issues, including data journalism and visualization tools, consumers and data usage, connectivity and resilience and digital economy, among others. The training is being held in Lagos, and is featuring different sessions by senior officials from selected departments of the Commission and experts in relevant fields.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has booked a spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles earned a place at the AFCON 2025 finals following Rwanda’s 1-0 home loss to the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. With the result, Rwanda, who occupy third position in Group D with five points from five matches can no longer catch up with Nigeria. The Super Eagles occupy top spot in the group with 10 points from four matches.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, former aide to ex Vice President Abubakar Atiku, as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications (State House). The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement today, November 14, said that Tinubu also approved the appointments of three Directors-General of various agencies. They are: (1) Mr. Olawale Olopade — Director-General, National Sports Commission (2) Dr. Abisoye Fagade — Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (3) Dr. Adebowale Adedokun — Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement Olopade, the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, is a sports administrator with many years of experience in the sector. He served as commissioner of youth and sports in Ogun state and was chairman of the local organising committee of the 2024 National Sports Festival. The new Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Abisoye Fagade is a marketing communication professional. He is the founder and managing director of Sodium Brand Solutions. Adedokun, the new helmsman of the Bureau of Public Procurement, was the director of Research/Training and Strategic Planning at the bureau before his appointment.
President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otumba Francis Meshioye has said that the success of the Dangote oil refinery is a wakeup call on, and a challenge to, those in the Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. “The success of the Dangote Refinery serves as an inspiration to all of us in the manufacturing sector. It demonstrates what is possible when we combine innovation, technology and investment to create world-class facilities that benefit the entire nation.” Otunba Francis Meshioye, who spoke after a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrol Chemical Complex and Fertilizer Plant in Lagos today, November 13, described the refinery as a source of pride and a gift not only to Nigeria but to the African continent and the world. According to him, Dangote Refinery is a game-changer in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, adding that it would create jobs and drive economic growth as well as contribute to the nation’s energy security and self-sufficiency. “To have been inspired to establish this facility is very magnificent. It is the first ever in Africa and the first ever of such refinery in the whole world. It has many first, first and first.” MAN president stressed that Dangote Refinery would have a positive impact on the entire manufacturing value chain, provide a reliable source of fuel and petrochemical products that are essential for capacity utilisation and value addition. “The company has the capacity to produce all our needs locally, petroleum, and other similar products: no one would come to the facility and he would not be inspired or encouraged to ensure that all the support that the company requires should be given to it.” The MAN President advised the government to do all that is humanly possible to ensure that the facility works Optimally. “It is prudent and expedient that the necessary supports are given to the company for the economic benefits of Nigeria. “If the facility can produce 650,000 barrels of crude per day and Nigeria is producing far above this volume per day, she should give the facility all crude it needed to produce. “With this kind of facility that starts from quality control to quality assurance, just to ensure that the harmful effects of the products are at zero level, what can be greater than this? “This is very unique and I will encourage all stakeholders to give maximum support, and not by the way support, but maximum support. “The facility can deliver products between 1760 trucks to 1800 trucks per day. So if you have such several trucks going out of the facility a day to various destinations in Nigeria, so many people will benefit from it. There will be more jobs, many families will be comfortable because of the jobs this will create, many artisans will benefit and it will have a spillover effect on so many sectors of the economy. “If they can produce AGO, gasoline and Jet A fuel, this is good and the government should have no reason not to ensure the facility gets its backing to carry out its activities, because it is going to benefit massively.”
The management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, has embarked on an unending battle with Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, (IBEDC), accusing it of forcing it into Band A thereby over-billing it. The hospital management complained that despite paying N60 million in the past month, the power company still disconnected the health facility. The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor, Jesse Otegbayo, reacting to the standoff with the electricity supply authourity, said that despite efforts to meet its obligations, the power company has remained adamant, charging the highest rates and is unfazed by the humanitarian services rendered by the nation’s premier tertiary hospital. The IBEDC had several times, disconnected the hospital this year, citing unpaid accumulated debts. But the Chief Medical Director said: “we have been making efforts to pay. IBEDC forced us on Band A. Our latest bill for one month is N99 million. We paid N60 million but they refused to reconnect us. “The distribution company has, against all entreaties, categorised this hospital a business concern.” It was confirmed that the power company sent a bill of N723, 095, 841.55 from January 1, 2019 to November 10, 2024 and the hospital paid N676, 990,174.04. Meanwhile, the hospital management, in a memo on November 5, acknowledged the “chaotic and unbearable experience” arising from the disconnection by IBEDC and pleaded with staff, students and patients to exercise patience while alternative power sources are being strengthened. The memo reads: “Management has initiated the process to ensure that power is restored to the hospital as soon as possible. Nonetheless, provision of alternative power supply to some critical areas in the hospital, with priority to the service areas which are in high demand, has been put in place through generators and solar panels/inverters, as well as pumping of water to all areas of the hospital.” Monday last week, families of patients at the health facility protested the persistent power outages and water supply, claiming that lives of patients were at risk. It was reported that members of the hospital’s Public Relations Office tried to pacify the protesters who expressed anger and helplessness, citing harrowing instances where treatment and care have been disrupted due to erratic power supply. One of the protesters said: “We are tired seeing our loved ones suffering; patients are dying because they cannot receive the medical tests needed for treatment. The outages have not only hindered immediate medical assessments but have also severely complicated ongoing treatments, leaving families in a state of despair.” But the hospital dismissed the claims that patients’ lives were at risk during the period of power outage and that the claims did not reflect the current operational status of the hospital. In an official statement, UCH described the reports as “false and misleading,” assuring the public that the hospital’s utilities remain functional and adequate for patients care. While acknowledging the severity of incessant power cuts by IBEDC, the public relations department said that despite the power cuts, the hospital made provision for alternative power supply in its critical departments namely operating theatres, intensive care units, and the accident and emergency department. The situation at UCH is experienced by many government hospitals and educational institutions. The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, was also disconnected from public power supply eight weeks ago. The institution detected an over billing in its record, receiving a monthly bill of N10m from Benin Disco when it consumed power worth about N7m. “We confronted them with metered data of all premises. “They did not like that. They wanted to transfer us to Band A, and forthwith presented us with N25m bill the following month. “We approached the Courts and got an injunction against arbitrary transfer. “Now they went berserk. Our light suddenly developed fault: transformer was not working. When we approached them to fix their transformer, they replied that we had taken them to Court. “After the intervention of the state government, they called for a truce! “Take case out of court, revert to BAND B. We are in a state of all motions, but no movement,” said a top management staff at the institution.
Some bluechip companies and organisations have indicated their support for the hosting of the Realnews 12th Anniversary Lecture, scheduled to hold at the Sheraton Hotel November 19.
The organisations include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Shell Nigeria, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Zenith, and Access Bank Plc. Publisher of the Realnews, Maureen Chigbo said that the theme of Realnews 12th Anniversary Lecture is “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources”. According to her, the Lecture will be chaired by Ms. Beatrice Eyong, Country Chair, UN Women, and will be delivered by Ambassador Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Dr. Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President of Policy Center for New South, Rabat, Morocco, will keynote the conference. Chigbo said that the lecture will be held at the Sheraton Hotel by 10 am and will feature Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman as the Special Guest/discussant along with Engr. Shehu Tijjani, Managing Director, Amal Technology Ltd. She said that there will be an investiture of all the speakers into The Realnews Hall of Fame immediately after the Lecture. Chigbo explained that the Realnews Hall of Fame was established to honour only those who played key roles during the anniversary lectures. Maureen Chigbo said that Realnews is a general interest magazine, and is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism. “We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. “We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. “We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. “Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.” Meanwhile, the publisher has expressed gratitude to the organisations that have indicated their willingness to support this year’s lecture series, praying to God to bless them and give their management the wisdom to lift their organisations to greater heights and prosperity. Chigbo also expressed her deep appreciation to all the banks, institutions, companies, and other organisations that have placed online advertisements on the Realnews website in the last 12 years. “Without their support, we would not have remained in business all through the years to do what we love best – investigative journalism.”
The leader of the world’s Anglican communion, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced that he was resigning, following a damning report that concluded the Church of England covered up a serial sexual abuse case. Welby had faced days of growing pressure to quit after the independent probe found that he “could and should” have formally reported decades of sexual abuse by a Church-linked lawyer, to authorities in 2013. A petition demanding his resignation, launched in the wake of the report’s revelations, has garnered nearly 14,000 signatures while leading clergy, including some bishops, were increasingly urging him to quit. “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024,” Welby said in a statement. “I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. “As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.” The independent Makin Review concluded that John Smyth, a lawyer who organised evangelical summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s, was responsible for “prolific, brutal and horrific” abuse of as many as 130 boys and young men. It found the Church of England — the mother church of Anglicanism — covered up the “traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks,” which occurred in Britain, Zimbabwe and South Africa over several decades. Appointed the Church of England’s highest-ranking cleric in 2013, Welby has apologised for what occurred but previously insisted he would not resign because he did not know about the wrongdoing before then. He said today, November 12 however that he was told that police had been notified and had “believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.” Earlier, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer had ratcheted up the pressure on Welby when he said that Smyth’s victims had been “failed very, very badly.” Asked whether Welby should stand down, Starmer, a former chief prosecutor for England and Wales, said it was “a matter, in the end, for the Church. “But I’m not going to shy away from the fact that these are horrific allegations and that my thoughts are with the victims in relation to it,” he added. The report into Smyth, led by former social services chief Keith Makin, concluded those “at the highest level” within the Church knew from mid-2013 about the extent of his abusive crimes. The failure to alert police “represented a further missed opportunity to bring him to justice” it said. It may also have “resulted in an ongoing and avoidable safeguarding threat in the period between 2012 and his death in 2018.” The Makin probe further criticised the Church’s response to a 2017 Channel 4 expose of Smyth’s abuses, calling it “poor in terms of speed, professionalism, intensity and curiosity.” Source: AFP.
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Maida’s NCC Leads Customer-Friendly Revolution In Telecom Sector, By Abdulrahman Aliagan
In a groundbreaking move to simplify telecom services and enhance consumer protection, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), under the leadership of Dr. Aminu Maida, is set to revolutionise the telecommunications sector.
The commission has announced plans to streamline the current 369 telecom tariff plans across providers like MTN, Glo, and others. This initiative, which aims to make the sector more consumer-friendly, will take effect on or before December 31, 2024.
The NCC’s new “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector” limits telecom operators to a maximum of 100 bundles and seven tariff options.
This move addresses the rampant confusion caused by the excessive proliferation of tariff plans. Dr. Maida emphasized the need for clarity during the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, noting that promotions disguised as tariff plans have compounded the complexity, leaving consumers struggling to make informed choices.
“Telecom operators must provide clear and accessible information on data plans and pricing. This transparency will empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about their data usage and billing,” Maida stated.
The NCC’s approach mirrors the success of India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI), which, in 2004, capped telecom providers at 25 tariff options to enhance billing transparency and consumer understanding. The NCC sees this as a proven strategy for simplifying services and ensuring that consumers are not overwhelmed by an excess of plans.
One of the NCC’s primary concerns has been the confusion stemming from promotional offers. According to an NCC official, “Consumers often subscribe to promotions that promise bonuses but are unaware that these promos are charged at higher rates, leading to faster depletion of airtime.”
To address this, the NCC has mandated that all bonuses align with established price floors and caps. Operators must also clearly advertise promotional allowances in specific terms, such as naira, minutes, seconds, gigabytes, or megabytes.
Telecom operators will be required to provide customers with detailed tables outlining all tariff plans, billing rates, and terms and conditions. Changes to tariff plans must be communicated to subscribers at least 30 days in advance, ensuring ample time for customers to assess their options.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), commended the NCC’s move, noting that simpler, more transparent data plans will eliminate confusion and improve customer experience.
Dr. Aminu Maida’s vision for a more customer-friendly telecommunications sector is evident in these reforms. By enforcing limits on tariff plans, requiring transparent billing practices, and ensuring consumer protection, the NCC is ushering in an era of simplicity and trust in the industry.
As Nigeria moves toward full implementation of these reforms, subscribers can look forward to greater clarity, better service quality, and a telecom environment that prioritizes their needs above all else.