Telecom
NCC Blames Taxes for Poor QoS, Warns Against Unauthorized Radio
Peter Igho, chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has decried multiple taxation on telephone service providers by different levels of governments, denials of rights of way for expansion of telecommunication infrastructure and vandalization of equipment as the major factors militating against the attainment of quality service in the country’s telecommunication sector, regarded as one of the fastest growing in the world.
This is coming as the commission yesterday warned that it is illegal to sell, install or use in Nigeria any Radio Frequency (RF) Jamming device without its authorization.
But speaking during a courtesy call on Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State governor, in his Akure Office during the week, Igho, appealed to governments to ease these burdens for the sector to record the desired growth.
The NCC chairman specifically appealed to Mimiko, who is a member of the National Economic Council on Multiple Taxation, Levies and Charges on ICT Infrastructure in Nigeria, under the chairmanship of Namadi Sambo, Vice-President,to further influence the reduction in the taxes and levies payable by telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria.
He described the outlined impediments as being beyond the scope of the NCC as the regulatory body of the telecommunication industry “but within the mandate of the government”, and that the commission is already tackling those under its control to achieve maximum results.
According to him, “the issue of right of way and multiple taxations deserves serious attention. There are multiple taxations and regulations that await the service providers at the various levels of government, including state governments and even some communities.
“In most cases, unfortunately, telecom masts and towers easily become specific targets for multiple taxes and regulations even where there are other masts and towers in existence, or even when appropriate taxes have been imposed at the Federal level.
“The resolution of these issues would go beyond enhancing quality of service as it would contribute to expansion of infrastructure and attraction of investment in the sector for the benefit of the nation.
“As we all know, rights of way for deployment of infrastructure determines the ease with which service providers can easily and quickly deploy or add new infrastructures at a given time and place. Related also is the vandalization of equipment across the nation, which also contributes negatively to quality of service.”
The NCC boss, who was accompanied on the visit by members of the board and management of the commission also blamed ignorance of how the communication system works across the globe on the way authorities in Nigeria seek to limit the infrastructure of the service providers especially in the erection of masts.
He said: “In the United Kingdom, there are more than 65,000 base stations for telecommunication services in a land that is far less than Nigeria’s. Nigeria is yet to achieve 25,000 installations across its huge land mass, yet many feel that we already have enough and are defacing the environment.
“This of course is causing infrastructure deficit and the situation is alreasy becoming very discouraging to the service providers who are being forced to depend on very few base stations to serve the populace.”
Igho however sought the support of the Ondo governor as the commission according to him, “is currently pursuing a major broadband infrastructure deployment programme and we would expect progressive governments to join hands with us and also plan ahead to tap on these potentials.”
He also disclosed that the commission is currently putting on efforts in the provision of Emergency Communication Centres (ECC) across the country and that by this, the NCC “has elected to assist the Federal and state governments to introduce this most desired service across the nation in partnership with state governments.
“The pilot of these centres in Awka and Minna were currently commissioned. Few more centres located in some other state would be commissioned soon. It may not be out of place to say that all citizens of Ondo state would appreciate this service.”
Mimiko who requested the NCC to assist the state in the provision of a three-digit line to be deployed in the operations of the state’s intervention programmes in healthcare delivery such as the Abiye Safe Motherhood programme, the Trauma and Kidney Care Centres, charged the commission to put in place a quality measurement mechanism ‘that will tell us the efficiency of our telecom service.”
According to him, “the perception of Nigerians that the service providers are only out to cheat them and milk them dry must be changed and the NCC must see to it because for each minute that subscribers are denied usage of their telephones through bad service, billions of naira are skimmed from them.”
Elsewhere, NCC said it is illegal to sell, install or use in Nigeria any Radio Frequency (RF) Jamming device without its authorization.
Radio Frequency (RF) Jammers are devices used to disrupt or prevent communication via a broadcasted RF signal.
“Individual towers partition cities into small sections called cells. As a cell phone user traverses the cells in an area, the signal is passed from tower to tower.
Jamming devices take advantage of this fact by transmitting on the spectrum of radio frequencies used by cellular devices.
Through its concurrent transmission, the jamming device is able to disrupt the two-way communication between the phone and the base station. This form of a denial-of-service attack inhibits all cellular communication within range of the device.
Thus, “Radio jamming is the (usually deliberate) transmission of radio signals that disrupt communications by decreasing the signal to noise ratio”.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity building/workshop for ICT journalists in Lagos, Engineer Austine Nwaulune, director, Spectrum Administration at NCC lamented the spray in radio frequency jammers usage in churches, mosques, hotels and other social outlets, especially without the permission of the Regulator.
He said that the effect is evident in the low quality of service (QoS) which has become topical in the industry in recent time, particularly, polarizing the Regulator, operators and telecom subscribers in the country.
He said, “These devices are illegal to sell, install or use in Nigeria without authorisation from the Commission and have been found to be used by Hotels, Security operatives, Courts, Religious institutions to prevent the operation of phone devices in their premises and areas of security concerns.
“They contribute to degrade the QoS in the areas they are deployed and could affect a large area depending on the range and transmit power of the jammer.
“Like any radio transmitter they can radiate beyond the intended perimeter of coverage.
The use is prohibited by extant laws of the country”.
He warned the perpetrators to obtain permission from the Commission, desist from the act or face full wrath of the law, adding that NCC is unrelenting on its responsibilities to monitor the trend.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) had established National & International Frequency Coordination, that is a technical and regulatory process which is intended to remove or mitigate radio-frequency interference between different radio systems which utilize the same operational frequency.
International coordination is carried out through Intergovernmental treaties in line with coordination procedures in the Radio Regulations of the ITU.
NCC’s powers are drawn from its enabling Act 2003 in Nigeria and as a national coordination under ITU to undertaken by spectrum regulators/operators within an administration to ensure coexistence between inter and intra service users of the spectrum.
Tony Ojobo, (4th from left), director, Corporate Communications (NCC), flanked by speakers and staff off NCC at the opening of a two-day capacity building/workshop for ICT journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.
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Leading Pan-African payment solutions provider SeerBit has partnered with Spectranet, Nigeria’s pioneer 4G LTE broadband service provider to launch ExpressPay, a seamless, efficient and secure payment option designed to revolutionise internet access subscription and renewal.
Many internet users often endure service downtime after subscription renewal due to delayed payment processing. This recurring challenge, exacerbated by the absence of real-time payment validation, represents a major source of frustration for subscribers.
Furthermore, the inconvenience of manual payment options and overdependence on limited options such as cards or USSD deprives customers of flexibility and impacts satisfaction and loyalty.
Accessible to all customers with a bank account, ExpressPay is a game-changer in the digital payment landscape, addressing common challenges for internet users such as payment errors, manual reconciliation, and service activation delays. With ExpressPay, Spectranet customers are assigned unique virtual accounts, ensuring accurate payment processing, eliminating manual intervention, and enabling instant reflection of payments for uninterrupted internet connectivity.
With approximately 161.9 million active internet users in Nigeria as of January 2025, based on recent data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and growing dependence on internet access for participation in modern society, Express Pay will eliminate payment friction, ensuring customers can pay seamlessly for uninterrupted internet access.
Through this collaboration, Spectranet customers can unlock several benefits including eradication of payment errors as each customer is assigned a unique virtual account,ensuring payments are accurately matched to their subscriptions.
Also, payments are processed in real-time, eliminating delays and ensuring instant service activation and uninterrupted connectivity. Furthermore, via ExpressPay, Spectranet users can count on frictionless payment experience with manual verification no longer required, thereby reducing effort and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Equally important, this innovative solution delivers faster processing times, ultimately ushering in greater efficiency and convenience for users.
“Internet access is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for commerce, education, employment, healthcare access, leisure and other critical aspects of daily life,” said Omoniyi Kolade, Founder and CEO of SeerBit.
“Our partnership with Spectranet is more than transforming the subscription payments experience — it’s about delivering more value, ensuring customers stay connected without the stress of failed or delayed transactions and boosting Nigeria’s digital economy. Express Pay is the future of seamless internet subscription payments.”
Also speaking on the partnership, the Chief Operating Officer of Spectranet, Amrish Singhal said: “As a company dedicated to delivering reliable and seamless internet services, we are always innovating to enhance our customers’ experience.
“The launch of ExpressPay as a payment gateway is a bold step forward in our commitment to eliminating payment-related disruptions and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for our subscribers.
“Our partnership with SeerBit reinforces this mission, enabling effortless, instant payments that make staying connected easier than ever.”
The launch of ExpressPay reinforces both SeerBit and Spectranet’s commitment to leveraging innovation to drive digital transformation and improve service delivery across Nigeria.
Customers can now enjoy a more reliable, accurate and efficient way to manage their internet subscriptions, ensuring a frictionless digital experience.
ExpressPay is accessible to Spectranet customers via https://selfcare.spectranet.com.ng/payment
Tizel Cybersecurity has urged firms in the financial sector to adopt advanced tools, partnerships, and training to stay ahead of artificial intelligence (AI-driven) fraud.
Happiness Obioha, Tizel Cybersecurity CEO
Happiness Obioha, the Chief Executive Officer, gave the advice while speaking on AI-powered identity theft and payment fraud, at the Payments Forum Nigeria [PAFON 2.0] held in Lagos, recently, she said the rapidly growing threat can no longer be ignored by businesses, especially those in the payment space.
She said while AI continues to transform the way people live and work, it also introduces new security vulnerabilities that threaten the very systems users aim to enhance.
Obioha referred to the latest Microsoft Cyber Signals report which highlighted a rise in AI-assisted scams targeting online shoppers using payments channels.
She warned that scammers are increasingly using AI to create more convincing fraudulent schemes.
In her words: “From deepfakes and synthetic identity fraud to real-time payment exploitation through bot attacks, cybercriminals are using AI to create smarter, more evasive fraud schemes. This is why security must be at the forefront of AI integration. Without a fortified environment, even the most innovative technologies risk becoming liabilities.
“At Tizel Cybersecurity, we’re not just observing this evolution—we’re actively shaping the future of secure innovation. We provide AI-driven security solutions that detect and prevent fraud in real-time, protect against identity theft, and ensure safe digital interactions across financial and business platforms.
“Our services include real-time threat detection and response, AI-based biometric authentication, fraud prevention using behavioral analytics, next-generation firewall and intrusion prevention systems, and comprehensive cybersecurity training designed to build a strong culture of security.
She further stated that Tizel Cybersecurity has readied its team to support businesses by delivering proactive, intelligent, and adaptable security infrastructures—“because staying ahead of cybercriminals is not a one-time effort; it’s a continuous journey”.
“As we leverage AI to drive inclusion and customer experience, let’s also prioritize security at every step. The question isn’t whether threats will come—it’s whether we’re prepared when they do”, she said.
As both a sponsor and participant at PAFON 2.0, she said they were excited to join industry leaders to explore the theme: “Bridging the Customer Experience Gap for Financial Inclusion Using AI.”
The Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON) is a platform for discussing and addressing issues related to the Nigerian payments ecosystem.
It’s a cross-industry event that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, fintech innovators, and other stakeholders to discuss topics like digital payments, cybersecurity, and financial inclusion.
Kashifu Inuwa, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that the transformative potential of emerging technologies is vital in revolutionising trade and investment across Africa.
Director General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE represented by Director of the Digital Economy Development, Engr. Salisu Kaka, presenting a cash prize of N10million to Get AI under the Regulatory Sandbox category, during the closing ceremony of the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025 during the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos.
He said this while delivering a keynote address at the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, held as part of the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos State, highlighting how digital innovation can drive efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth.
The DG who was represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of Digital Economy Development Department, stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the largest free trade zones globally, uniting over 1.4 billion people with a collective GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
He described the recent adoption of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol as a pivotal milestone that will break down trade barriers, streamline regulations, and open new markets for businesses of all sizes.
“Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million and strong entrepreneurial culture, is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital transformation”, he said.
While pointing out the rise of e-commerce and mobile payments as game changers, Inuwa said “From Abuja, I can order products online, conduct due diligence, make payments, and receive deliveries—technology has made trade seamless.”
“This Hackathon arrives at a crucial time following the African Union’s 2024 endorsement of the Digital Trade Protocol. It aims to harmonise digital regulations and eliminate trade barriers across all 54 African nations,” he added.
Inuwa stressed that while global technological advances have reshaped commerce, many African trade systems are still burdened by outdated procedures, excessive paperwork, and logistical bottlenecks. But a shift is underway, powered by innovations such as blockchain, AI, IoT, and digital platforms, which are now central to trade operations.
He cited the success of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in leveraging technology through the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), which automated key processes like declarations, cargo tracking, and risk assessment—leading to a 238% revenue increase between 2017 and 2023.
The Unified Customs Management System, introduced in December 2024 as a successor to NICIS II, has already generated over ₦31 billion, showcasing Nigeria’s progress in digital trade facilitation.
The Hackathon is structured around five priority areas: Youth and MSME Inclusion, E-Commerce Adoption, E-Commerce Policy and Trust, Digital Payments, and the E-Commerce Regulatory Sandbox.
These are sectors where digital tools can significantly enhance trade dynamics.
“I’m confident that the Hackathon will spark innovative, scalable solutions to boost intra-African e-commerce, streamline cross-border transactions, and empower MSMEs with digital capabilities to compete globally,” Inuwa stated.
He described the event as a springboard for innovations that will simplify payments, promote inclusion, and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in actualising the AfCFTA digital economy framework.
In his welcome address, Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office—represented by Olusegun Olutayo, Senior International Trade Policy and Law Expert, emphasised that transformation is a continuous journey.
He highlighted the continent’s focus on collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth as essential to establishing Africa as a hub for digital trade.
Awolowo reaffirmed the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasising that it presents Africa as a unified market of over one billion people—a vast opportunity for intra-African trade, investment, and economic growth.
He stressed that realising this vision requires active participation and shared ownership.
According to him, the Hackathon is a tangible mechanism for implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol—prioritising inclusion, innovation, and equitable access.
It is expected to generate actionable solutions that bridge policy and practice, accelerating Africa’s digital economy and empowering the next generation of African innovators.
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