By George Ozalla
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has just hosted a hybrid Stakeholder Engagement Forum on its Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) exercise. According to Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, the engagement is crucial in shaping policies that prioritize consumer protection while maintaining a vibrant and competitive market.
The forum focused on eight regulatory instruments, and the NCC proposes a 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim their unused credits, provided they can verify ownership. According to the presentation made at the event, operators must notify users about airtime forfeiture policies and offer service alternatives instead of refunds.
Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, spotlighted the Commission’s legal mandate and the significance of the new guidance in fostering transparency and accountability in the telecoms sector. She stated that the draft seeks to ensure subscribers maintain rightful access to their purchased credits while operators gain clarity in their responsibilities.
The regulatory instruments assessed include licensing, SIM registration, subscriber management, enforcement procedures, spectrum trading, and infrastructure sharing. According to Dr. Maida, the NCC is committed to refining the final guidance based on stakeholder input and formally adopting it in the coming months.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to a fair, transparent, and consumer-centric telecommunications landscape. The NCC’s RIA exercise is primarily designed to ensure that regulations are effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of stakeholders.
According to recent statistics, the Nigerian telecommunications industry has experienced significant growth, with millions of subscribers relying on mobile services for communication, commerce, and access to information. The NCC’s efforts to regulate the industry and protect consumers are critical to ensuring that the sector continues to grow and develop in a sustainable manner.
