To safeguard telecom consumers and streamline regulatory operations, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement, finalized on Tuesday in Abuja, establishes a unified approach to addressing telecom-related issues, benefiting both consumers and operators while enhancing collaboration between the two regulatory bodies.

The MoU was signed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, and the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bello emphasized the importance of the partnership, aligning it with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of promoting economic growth through regulatory collaboration, market efficiency, and prioritizing consumer welfare.

“This partnership will benefit both operators and consumers. It will foster harmonious collaboration between our organisations, streamline operations for telecom operators through a one-stop-shop approach, and ensure robust consumer protection, fair competition, and the eradication of exploitative practices,” Bello stated.

He highlighted the MoU as a critical milestone, noting that it represents the convergence of two diligent regulatory agencies to eliminate gaps in oversight while complying with legal requirements.

He called on other sector regulators to emulate this framework as mandated by Section 105 of the FCCPA.

Dr. Aminu Maida, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, described the agreement as the result of extensive engagements aimed at protecting Nigerian consumers, especially within the telecom sector.

“In an era of rapid technological advancements, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated.

“The telecommunications sector has become the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development, making it imperative to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders while protecting consumers who depend on reliable and affordable communications services,” Maida said.

He added that the MoU symbolizes a shared vision of fostering a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecommunications industry. By aligning efforts, the NCC and FCCPC aim to avoid regulatory uncertainty, promote clarity, and further the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business objectives.

The agreement also underscores the necessity of synergy in addressing challenges such as market abuses, consumer rights violations, and the complexities of a digital economy.

Maida commended the FCCPC’s leadership for its dedication to consumer protection and fair competition and urged all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of collaboration represented by the partnership.

“This MoU ensures that our respective mandates are harmonized to achieve maximum impact. Together, the NCC and FCCPC can drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and beyond,” Maida concluded.

The signing of this MoU marks a pivotal step in protecting telecom consumers and fostering a robust telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.

In a bid to enhance the skills and competencies of government employees in navigating digital tools and technologies, the Federal Government has launched a digital literacy training programme for federal civil servants. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

The programme aims to equip civil servants with the necessary skills to effectively utilise digital technologies, thereby improving their productivity and efficiency. This is particularly important as digital transformation is fundamentally about people, and having a workforce that is proficient in digital tools is crucial for driving economic growth and development.

The Director General, of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, at the launch of a 3-day workshop on digital literacy training and certification for federal civil servants in Abuja, emphasised that digital transformation is a journey, not a destination, and it is fundamentally about people, not technology.

He stressed that without the active involvement and engagement of individuals, technology alone will not drive meaningful change. He said, “Technology makes our lives better, the government cannot accomplish that without you, as you are the one who creates the policies, designs the services, and delivers them to citizens”

The NITDA boss revealed that to reach the ambitious goal of 70% digital literacy by 2027, NITDA has launched an innovative initiative called Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) aims to empower Nigerians with essential digital skills, making them digitally literate and proficient in navigating the digital landscape.

He said, “The first initiative to work with the Ministry of Education to develop digital literacy skills curriculum has been approved and we started the implementation this month.

“We are working now on training all teachers and collaborating with National University Commission, National Board for Technical Education, and National Commission for Colleges of Education, to infuse it in all tertiary institutions curriculum.

“The second one is working with NYSC to recruit 80 champions in each NYSC stream, every year we will train at least Ten million and three hundred thousand Nigerians on digital literacy. And the third one is the workforce readiness. According to world Bank, by 2030 between 35 to 45 percent of work in Nigeria will need digital competency,” he added.

The representative of Head of Service of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, emphasised the importance of transforming the civil service into a dynamic, technology-driven, and globally competitive workforce, adding that the vision is a cornerstone of the Federal Service Commission’s strategy and implementation plan, which prioritises the journey towards a digitally literate civil service.

She maintained that the workshop is not just a training exercise, but a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of Nigeria’s public service. “By acquiring cutting-edge tools and knowledge, participants will be empowered to deliver their mandate more effectively, driving meaningful change and progress in the country, she averred.

While acknowledging that the partnership between the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and NITDA, serves as a shining example of collaboration in achieving shared goals, she expressed her gratitude to NITDA and other participating organisations for their roles in bringing this vision to life.

“This collaboration underscores the importance of working together to harness the power of digital technology and drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s public service,” she added.

MTN Nigeria has achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Nigerian organisation, the first company in the telecommunications industry, and the first within MTN Group to earn the Compliance Management System (CMS) certification from the International Accreditation Service (IAS).

This globally recognised certification affirms MTN Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining world-class compliance standards across its diverse operations.

It covers all management activities related to telecommunications, digital services, mobile voice and data, innovative digital platforms, wholesale distribution, fixed and mobile broadband connectivity, and advanced technology solutions for corporate and institutional clients across the nation.

Commenting on the achievement, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Obiageli Ugboma, said, “Achieving this feat is a testament to our robust compliance framework and proactive approach to managing risks in an ever-changing digital landscape.

“It reinforces our promise to connect Nigerians with secure, reliable, and innovative solutions.”

The International Accreditation Service (IAS) is a globally recognised accreditation body. It accredits a wide range of organisations, including governmental entities, commercial businesses, and professional associations, based on recognised national and international standards.

This ensures that IAS accreditations are both domestically and globally accepted, highlighting their credibility and relevance.

The ISO 37301:2021 Compliance Management System (CMS) standard is the benchmark for effective compliance management.

The certification solidifies stakeholder trust and provides organisations with a framework for establishing, implementing, evaluating, and continually improving a compliance management system that ensures adherence to laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

By achieving this certification, MTN Nigeria demonstrates its commitment to fostering a culture of integrity, mitigating risks, and enhancing corporate governance and operational efficiency.

This achievement positions MTN Nigeria as a leader in compliance management and sets a benchmark for excellence within the telecommunications industry and beyond.