Telecom
Telecom Stakeholders’ Forum to focus on Consumer Protection
This year’s Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) organized telecom stakeholders forum will focus on the protection of the telecom consumer in the growing global Information and Communications Technology market place.
The forum which is coming under the aegis of the Stakeholders’ Forum initiated and managed by Africa’s foremost ICT magazine, IT & Telecom Digest, the event will bring together operators, equipment manufacturers, government officials, consumers and other interested parties, essentially to find ways to better protect the consumer in the emerging convergence in the industry.
Hence, the theme of the fourth Stakeholders’ Forum, which is scheduled to take place on March 24, 2009 at the Golden Gate Restaurant in Ikoyi, Lagos, is “Protecting the Consumer in an era of ICT Convergence.”
It is expected to attract the key industry players, companies and individuals in the support industry like power, software, equipment suppliers, as well as the academia and consumer advocacy groups, among others.
Coming at a time when the industry is under pressure from the global economic meltdown, this year’s edition of the Stakeholders’ Forum initiated by IT & Telecom Digest back in 2006 as an annual platform for finding solutions to problems in the ICT sector, will be used keenly by the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC as a medium of reaching out to operators and the various businesses that have developed around the increasingly successful ICT industry in Nigeria. This is with a view to getting them all serve the consumers best in an atmosphere free of rancour in the emerging global village being further brought about by convergence in the ICT industry.
While most operators around the world are contending with the biting crunch of the economic downturn, the NCC has severally assured that the Nigerian industry is insulated by the government’s continued protection of the consuming public through deliberate policies.
People oriented government policy is part of the mandate of the regulator of the industry and in the last eight years, the NCC has introduced innovative consumer protection programmes which has served as an interface between them (consumers) and operators such as the Consumer Parliament.
Therefore, the idea of discussing the place of the consumer in the growing convergence of the ICT industry in Nigeria and by extension the rest of the world is appropriate and is in direct consonance with the government set objective.
Reacting to the theme of this year’s Stakeholders Forum, Mr. Mkpe Abang, Editor-in-Chief and chief executive of IT & Telecom Digest magazine, described the NCC choice of subject as, “most apt and timely, especially at a time like this when the world is in turmoil over the economic indices that continue to plummet. For the Nigerian consumers, they should count themselves lucky given the kind regulator that the NCC is and indeed, the other government agencies that recognises their roles at a time like this.”
Speakers at the Forum this year like in other years would be drawn from operators, equipment suppliers, alternative services providers like the power sector, computer, Internet Services Providers and some concerned consumers of these services. They are expected to deliberate and seek for ways of improving the growth that the industry has already experienced.
It would be recalled that the NCC in the last couple of years have dictated the direction of regulation among other countries of the world especially in Africa where fellow African countries have adopted most of its programmes to affect their regulatory environment.
The Stakeholders Forum is one of such programmes that the agency have used over the years to feel the pulse of the industry and enrich its own regulatory functions. This year however, the focus is not strictly limited to telecommunications as the industry with its massive expansion has influenced the other components of the general ICT industry.
Nigeria with over 60 million active telephone subscribers is dominating the African continent and is one of the world’s fastest growing telecom countries. In the wake of the global economic meltdown, the country leading the rest of Africa has become one of the havens for investors seeking alternative and stable environments to do business.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), an umbrella group for trade unions, has announced that Nigerians are planning a statewide boycott of telecom services in protest of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in phone costs.
Following carriers’ demands for cost-reflective charges amid challenging economic conditions, the NCC approved a 50% increase in telephone tariffs on Monday.
This hike, which fell short of the 100 percent increase that telcos requested, caused the average cost of calls to go from N11 to N16.5 per minute, the cost of 1GB of data to go from N287.5/GB to N431.25, and the price of SMS to go from N4 to N6.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” the commission said.
In a statement issued , Joe Ajaero, president, NLC, denounced the tariff increase, calling it an unfair burden on those who are already facing financial difficulties.
He voiced concerns about the hike’s timing, pointing out that it comes while inflation and purchasing power are on the rise.
He said, “This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.
“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of their wages on telecom charges.
“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month, or 15 percent of his salary—an unsustainable cost.
“NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. We therefore call on the government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around it.
“If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50 percent hike,” he stated.
The NCC added that rate adjustments were made to close the gap between current tariffs and growing operating costs without compromising service delivery to customers.
Telcos had complained that a 300 percent increase in operational costs was forcing them to shut down.
WIOCC Group, a provider of digital infrastructure and connectivity solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) of Nigeria.
This collaboration aims to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy through substantial investments in critical digital infrastructure and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance digital connectivity and inclusion across Nigeria. Represented by the Honourable Minister, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and WIOCC Group’s Chief Development Officer, Mr. Darren Bedford, the agreement outlines a shared vision for fostering technical efficiency and collective prosperity.
The partnership focuses on enhancing stakeholder engagement by jointly reviewing and improving the National Policy on Telecommunications to meet digital economy needs. WIOCC Group commits to investing in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, deploying a hyperscale open-access digital platform for internet service providers (ISPs) with advanced fibre and colocation facilities.
Additionally, through this partnership, the collaboration with the Nigerian Broadband Alliance for Nigeria aims to improve broadband quality and accessibility, with WIOCC expanding fibre infrastructure and partnering with ISPs to connect more homes and businesses. The partnership also includes WIOCC providing digital infrastructure training and supporting job creation for Nigerian youth.
Commenting on the partnership, WIOCC Group’s Chief Business Development Officer, Mr. Darren Bedford said, “The MoU with the Ministry of Communications underscores our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation, by working together, we aim to create a robust digital ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders and drives sustainable economic growth”.
Dr ‘Bosun Tijani stated that “This collaboration with WIOCC Group represents a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to reliable and high-quality telecommunications services. We are committed to building a resilient digital infrastructure that fosters innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.
“Working with the private sector to deliver last-mile connectivity to homes and businesses, amongst other key benefits, is essential to achieving this vision, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration creates for empowering communities across Nigeria”.
QNET, a global leader in lifestyle and wellness-focused direct selling, celebrates the UNESCO International Day of Education 2025 by advancing educational access for learners of all ages through its innovative e-learning platform, QLearn.
This year’s theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in an Automated World,” highlights the critical role of education in empowering individuals to thrive in an AI-driven future.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, technological advancements and the green economy are projected to create a net gain of 78 million jobs globally by 2030.
However, the report also emphasizes the need for education reform and reskilling to address the skills gap generated by AI advancements and to prepare individuals for an evolving, automated job market.
In response to these global shifts, QNET’s QLearn platform offers accessible, high-quality e-learning solutions, covering everything from professional development to K-12 education.
These courses are designed to help individuals acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in a rapidly changing world
Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, shared his thoughts on the International Day of Education: “In today’s fast-evolving technological landscape, education is more important than ever.
“As AI reshapes industries, fostering adaptability through innovative learning is crucial. Through QLearn, QNET is committed to providing quality education and empowering individuals to shape their futures.”
Beyond QLearn, QNET is actively engaged in global educational initiatives, such as FinGreen, its financial literacy program, and strategic partnerships with organizations like the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI) in Nigeria.
Together with the LFBI, QNET has provided nutritious meals to over 1,000 underserved students under the EDUFOOD program, helping reduce absenteeism and improve academic performance.
QNET continues to play a significant role in global efforts to position education as a pillar of sustainability and equity.
By leveraging digital tools and the transformative potential of AI, QNET is working to bridge educational gaps and empower communities to thrive.
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