The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida shared insightful remarks at the GSMA Launch of the Nigeria Digital Economy Report, highlighting the commission’s strategic initiatives aimed at empowering Nigeria’s digital future.
Addressing long-term challenges in the sector, Maida outlined the NCC’s advocacy efforts, including the push for the designation of communications infrastructure as critical national assets to ensure their protection and resilience.
Notably, the NCC’s advocacy has led to significant progress, with six states, including the latest addition of Adamawa, waiving their right-of-way charges. Additionally, a substantial number of states have adopted the harmonized charge of N145 per linear meter.
Maida emphasized ongoing advocacy efforts with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to tackle multiple taxation issues and streamline the tax regime for the telecoms sector in Nigeria.
A pivotal regulatory innovation highlighted by Maida is the NCC’s adoption of a data-centric approach to regulatory functions.
Under his leadership, data-centricity has become a driving force, with the commission developing a robust Data Collection Framework.
This framework facilitates the collection of data on critical aspects such as quality of service and consumer complaints, enabling the commission to make timely and informed regulatory decisions.
Through the analysis of performance data submitted by operators, the NCC has identified key issues affecting service quality and is actively addressing them in collaboration with operators.
Moreover, insights gleaned from the data have revealed that tower sites utilizing renewable energy solutions outperform those relying on fossil energy sources.
By leveraging this data-centric approach, the NCC gains comprehensive insights across the entire value chain, enabling targeted interventions to enhance the overall user experience.
Furthermore, the commission is undertaking a comprehensive review of its regulatory instruments and licensing framework to align them with current realities.
This includes the integration of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 5G and Colocation Service Providers (TowerCos) within the Quality of Service Regulations.
