NCC Chief Stresses Internet’s Importance, Addresses Data Woes

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maina, has emphasized the increasing indispensability of internet usage in both business and everyday activities, underscoring the importance of the Commission’s Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) as a platform to address consumer concerns.

Speaking at the 93rd TCP in Abuja, themed “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry,” Dr. Maina reiterated the NCC’s commitment to improving accessibility and enhancing service delivery for consumers.

The NCC boss traced the transformation of Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, noting how the shift from basic voice services to high-speed data networks, such as 3G, 4G, and now 5G, has fueled a digital revolution. “The introduction of 3G networks enabled basic browsing and email. The leap to 4G LTE brought faster speeds for video streaming and online gaming, while 5G now opens new frontiers for innovations like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things,” he said.

Dr. Maina acknowledged that while data consumption has grown significantly, so too have consumer concerns regarding data depletion and billing transparency. According to global statistics from DataReportal, over 5 billion people now use the internet, with Nigeria contributing 132 million connections. He noted that Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes daily on social media, well above the global average, with 2024 data usage averaging 336 gigabytes per second—a 39% increase from the previous year.

Despite this digital boom, the EVC highlighted persistent consumer dissatisfaction over perceived rapid data depletion. “Nigeria isn’t alone in this; other countries like Eswatini are also grappling with similar concerns. However, our analysis of consumer complaints earlier this year revealed data depletion and billing issues as top concerns,” he stated.

He attributed these challenges to two main factors: the increased data demands of high-resolution devices and the complexity of operator tariffs. He explained how technological advancements have naturally increased data consumption. “Viewing a photo on Instagram might have required 100 kilobytes five years ago, but today, advanced camera resolutions mean a single photo can consume between two to four megabytes,” Dr. Maina noted. He also cited data from Tech Advisor, which estimates that an hour on Instagram uses 600 megabytes, while streaming on YouTube consumes 3.5 to 5.4 gigabytes per hour.

To address these issues, the NCC has implemented measures to improve transparency and awareness. Operators have been directed to audit their billing systems, and the Commission has launched consumer awareness campaigns to educate users on smarter data management. The EVC stressed that knowledge is power, urging consumers to utilize tools on their smartphones to track and manage data usage.

Beyond consumer concerns, Dr. Maina acknowledged industry challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure. He praised the recent Presidential Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which designates telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure. “This Executive Order enhances our ability to tackle vandalism, tampering, and unauthorized access to telecom facilities,” he said.

Dr. Maina concluded by reaffirming the NCC’s commitment to fostering a consumer-centric telecom ecosystem where users enjoy reliable services, feel informed, and have their concerns addressed transparently.
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