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Tag: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

  • ‘NCC in top five performing agencies’

    ‘NCC in top five performing agencies’

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has named the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) one of the top five best-performing Federal Government agencies for 2025 under the Transparency and Efficiency Category. The NCC was recognised alongside the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, which emerged overall best-performing agency; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which placed second; as well as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority.

    The recognition was announced at the PEBEC Awards and Gala Night held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    The award celebrates transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s public service and was presented to the Commission for its “commitment to openness, accountability and operational excellence in Public Service Delivery.”

    Receiving the award on behalf of the Commission, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to sustaining transparency and accountability in its regulatory approach. He noted that these principles remain central to improving industry performance and fostering a conducive environment for telecommunications businesses to thrive.

    “The Commission is proud to be listed among the Top Five Best-Performing Federal Government Agencies for 2025. This recognition is an affirmation of the values that guide our work: transparency, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence. It signals that the reforms we have pursued, the systems we have strengthened, and the decisions we have taken are yielding the right results.

    “For us at the NCC, this honour is both a validation and a responsibility. It reassures us that we are on the right path, and at the same time challenges us to deepen our commitment to the Nigerian people

     “As an economic regulator, our mandate is to create an environment where operators can thrive—an environment that attracts investment and sustains healthy competition, ensuring consumers enjoy the best possible choices.

    “Nigerians can rest assured that we will not rest on our oars. We remain fully committed to ensuring that the telecom consumer receives the highest quality of service, supported by a fair, transparent, and competitive industry. We will also continue to strengthen our collaborations with all stakeholders—because meaningful progress in our sector can only be achieved through shared commitment and collective action,” Dr. Maida stated.

    Read Also: FG launches automation-driven public service system

    Speaking at the awards, the PEBEC Director-General, Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, said the event was organised to celebrate reform champions and highlight progress made in improving the country’s business climate.

     “This evening is not merely an awards ceremony; it is a powerful affirmation of possibilities, honouring the champions who have moved beyond compliance, embracing excellence as the new standard for public service delivery.

     “The achievements we acknowledge are the tangible result of collective resolve to make Nigeria the most attractive and predictable competitive destination for business in Africa.

     “Under the unwavering leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, and the active chairmanship of Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, our reform efforts have been characterised by intentionality, accountability, and the strategic deployment of data.

     “We understand that to fix the operational environment for businesses, we must first fix the government’s framework.”

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the council, said the awards reflect the government’s commitment to a more efficient and competitive public service.

     “The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council has spent the last couple of years championing reforms that speak to the whole of our economic aspirations.

     “The reforms that make it easier to do business, that restore your best confidence, that ensure our institutions work in the spirit of national growth.

     “Tonight, we salute the men and women driving these institutions, when we commit to working together across MDAs, across states and across sectors, Nigeria wins,” he said.

  • Vitel gets NCC’s mobile number series

    Vitel gets NCC’s mobile number series

    In a historic milestone for Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, Vitel Wireless (Vitel) has been issued a mobile number series by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  Vitel Wireless, Kenneth Nwabueze, said the allocation of the 0712 mobile number series marked a significant step in Nigeria’s evolving telecom landscape.

    He noted that the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) market  has historically been tightly regulated, with only a few players entering under stringent licensing requirements.

    According to him, Vitel’s emergence as a fully licensed MVNO, complete with its own number series, highlights the country’s growing openness to competitive and innovative telecom solutions aimed at improving service delivery and accessibility.

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    He pointed out that the company’s acquisition of its unique mobile number series, 0712, demonstrated the trust and confidence of the NCC in the company’s vision and readiness to serve the Nigerian market.

    He explained that as part of its international readiness, Vitel was also issued by NCC its own international routing code, enabling seamless international connectivity and positioning the company to offer high-quality global telecommunications services.

    “Having successfully met all government regulatory requirements, Vitel Wireless is now prepared for a smooth market entry and poised to launch innovative, affordable, and customer-focused services across Nigeria.

    “This is a landmark achievement not only for Vitel Wireless but also for the Nigerian telecommunications sector as a whole. Our team is excited to be at the forefront of this new era, bringing innovative telecom services to Nigerians and ensuring connectivity for all.

    We are committed to providing reliable and cost-effective solutions that will drive Nigeria’s digital economy forward.

    “ With a focus on leveraging the latest technology and enhancing customer satisfaction, Vitel Wireless is set to transform the MVNO landscape in Nigeria, offering tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses.

    By securing both a dedicated mobile number series and an international routing code, the company is well-positioned to provide exceptional service quality, both locally and internationally,” Nwabueze said.       

  • NCC gets Sept 26 deadline to tidy 9.2m SIM cards

    THE Minister of Communications,  Dr Ibrahim Pantami on Monday gave the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) September 26 to rectify all improperly registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in the country.

    Pantami, who received the Management Team of the Commission in his Office in Abuja, however, praised the Commission for its ability to reduce the number of improperly registered SIM cards from 9.2 million to 2.42 million within one week.

    He told the team led by its board Chairman Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye that it had become necessary to ensure that not a single SIM card is being used in the country without proper registration considering its security implications and the challenges facing the country.

    Read Also: FG orders NCC to block 9.2m sim cards

    Pantami said: “Based on the report I received today from the NCC, within the period I issued a statement on improperly registered SIM and now, they were able to reduce the number significantly.

    “Within this period, they were able to rectify at least over 6. 775 million lines with incomplete registration of SIM cards.  So the total number of incomplete registration of SIM cards as it is today based on the repoert I recieved is 2.42 million.  So the reduction within this period is about 73. 2 per cent.

    “This is a significant achievement from 9.2 million we are back to 2.4 million.  Within this period, 6.775 million have been rectified and this highly commendable.”

     

  • NCC uncovers 9.2m improperly registered SIM cards

    THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday uncovered 9.2million improperly registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in use across the networks in the country.

    Communications Minister, Dr Ibrahim Pantami, has ordered the disconnection of such lines from the network.

    The discovery of the ‘rogue’ SIM cards was contained in the baseline short-term performance targets report of the Commission sent to the minister.

    The minister had on assumption of office, directed all agencies and parastatals under Communications Ministry to submit short-term performance targets.

    The spokesperson to the minister, Uwa Suleiman in a statement, explained that the report was signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Garba Dambatta.

    “The Commission in its report said an estimated 9.2 million SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration. The investigation which was carried out at the behest of the minister, has exposed for the first time in the telecoms history of Nigeria, in precise detail, the magnitude of defaulters,” the statement said.

    Read Also: NCC: telcos must protect customers

    Reacting to the report, Dr Pantami expressed concern over the security implication of the discovery and further directed that the telecoms regulator, should with immediate effect, ensure that all improperly registered numbers are duly reregistered.

    To ensure maximum compliance, Dr Pantami, has directed NCC to ensure that all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper reregistration procedures.

    “The security implication of this irregularity is too grave to ignore and the Federal Ministry of Communications will not tolerate any actions or inactions that will compromise the nation’s security,” Pantami said.

     

     

  • NCC: telcos must protect customers

    THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Thursday in Kano, urged telecoms providers to evolve measures toward safeguarding their numerous customers from the dubious activities of  cybercrime.

    Speaking at the 52nd edition of Consumer Town Hall meeting at the Institute for Information Technology in Kura, Kano State, is Director, Consumer Affairs, Mrs Felicia Onwueguchalam, expressed disgust over the alarming increase of cybercrimes in the country.

    ”There is doubt that cyber crime is on the increase, and it is my sincere hope that each of the service providers will demonstrate clearly to the their esteemed customers, measures that they have put in place on their various networks, as well as the role they think their customers should play toward safeguarding them from the effects of cybercrime,” she said.

    Read Also: NCC: 40m denied access to telecoms services

    Represented by her deputy, Alhaji Ismaila Adedigba, she said the Commission is committed to using its various outreach programmes to embark on series of awareness campaigns, with a view to keeping consumers well informed on the risks associated with being  online, enlightenining them on the safety measures to be taken once they use connected devices, as simple as feature phone, smart phones and other more sophisticated internet enabled devises.

    She said:  “The Commission has embarked on various inituatives to increase access to the internet to Nigerians for positive engagements, we are nevertheless, conscious of dishonest individuals, who are bent on using the internet for illegal activities.”

     

  • Infrastructure critical to innovation, says NCC

    THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday stressed the need to put in place a very robust telecoms infrastructure so that innovation could flourish.

    Speaking at 2019 Nigeria Innovation Summit in Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof Garba Danbatta, said innovation will drive economic growth.

    Represented by Director, Research & Development at NCC, Mr.  Ephraim Nwokenneya, the telecoms chief regulator, said: “It is instructive to note that for innovation to thrive towards accelerating economic growth, robust telecoms/broadband infrastructure upon which ICT innovations will ride, is a necessity.”

    He said the theme of the forum: Accelerating Nigeria’s Economic Growth through Innovation was apt, stressing that the NCC, through effective regulatory efforts, has been able to deepen connectivity in the country.

    “As at June, 2019, internet connections in the country have reached over 122 million, with over 63.5 million of this figure connected to broadband networks of 3G and 4G, which represents a 33.31 percent broadband penetration.

    Read Also: NCC warns telcos against interconnect debts

    “Our commitment is to more than double this penetration level in the next five years, as we increase collaboration and partnership with necessary stakeholders towards making a new broadband target that may be set by the Federal Government a reality. Last year, the country was able to attain and surpass its initial 30 per cent broadband penetration target set in its National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2013-2018 by December, 2018,” Danbatta said.

    He said the race for infrastructure deployment is a global race, arguing that recent happenings across the globe showed that infrastructure is receiving attention at the highest level of government in developed economies. He said this is because any nation that wants to develop must do this in a digitally-enabled framework.

     

  • Lagos, NCC, EU, others support innovation

    THE Lagos State government, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), European Union (EU) as well as Sterling Bank have  pledged support for innovation to grow the economy.

    Also, the National Coordinator, Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS), Mr. Tony Ajah, said great innovations come out of great ecosystems. Speaking ahead of NIS scheduled for August 20 and 21 at Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, he said innovation ecosystem is made up of the government/public sector participation, businesses/private and industry participation, the academic/research and development institutions, entrepreneurs/innovators and startups.

    “This year leading local and international organisations, government agencies, businesses will host workshops to educate, inform and empower Nigerians,” he said. The theme of the forum is: Accelerating Nigeria’s Economic Growth through Innovation.

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    NCC said supporting NIS was in line with its commitment to promoting information communications technology (ICT) innovation and investment opportunities and facilitating strategic collaboration and partnerships to grow the economy.

    Also, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Lagos State University (LASU), Landmark University, Mountain Top University, Igbinedion University, University of Port Harcourt, have all confirmed attendance while Bauchi, Kano, Edo and Ondo states have indicated interest to participate aside other corporate organisations.

    Speakers include NCC chief, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta;  CEO, Hygeia HMO, Obinnia Abajue; EU Affairs Manager, Bruno Woeran; Merinova Technology Centre (Finland); and Prof Nii Quaynor, Africa Internet Pioneer

    Others are Chairman, Ghana Dot Com; Adesola Alli, Head, Renewable Energy, Strategy and Innovation at Sterling Bank Plc., Prof Wellington Oyibo, Director,Research and Innovation office, University of Lagos, amongst others.

  • NCC assures on Google station project

    THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is working with stakeholders to rest speculations concerning the legitimacy of the Google Station Free WiFi access service in Nigeria.

    Contrary to misconception in some quarters, the Commission will ensure that the service provided will continue to be in partnership with NCC licensed service providers within its regulatory oversight. The local content aspect of the Google initiative is being kept constantly in view by the NCC as this progresses.

    The NCC also confirmed that appropriate steps had been taken to protect the interests of all relevant stakeholders, particularly the users of the service.

    The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr.  Sunday Dare, made the clarification during an interactive session with reporters.

    It would be recalled that Google recently launched the Google Station Free WiFi Service in major  cities in the country. The service enables registered users to enjoy free WiFi internet access at selected hotspots by merely registering their smartphones for the service. It, however, generated some controversy following allegations that the NCC may not have approved the service and that it could have negative impacts on national security and competition in the telecoms space.

    Dare, however, allayed the fear, assuring that the NCC had engaged with both Google and the NCC’s licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on whose platforms the Google Station Service is being rolled out.

    According to him, the service complies with the appropriate regulatory requirements.

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    He said: “The NCC is satisfied that objective of the Google Station Service is to provide more Nigerians with access to the internet, and we see that Google is working towards this mission by partnering with local ISPs to bring free and fast Wi-Fi to more people in more places.”

    He added that partnerships of this type benefit players in the ecosystem. “The Google Station service is being delivered under a partnership model that enables local ISPs, system integrators, and venue owners to efficiently offer a public Wi-Fi experience, reducing the cost of deployment, operations and ongoing support. This  Google Station initiative and its local ISP partners delivers free Wi-Fi hotspots in public transport and other high traffic areas.

    ‘’This supports governments’ policy goals championed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and it will further assist to achieve the government’s inclusion objectives. This is why it enjoys the support of the NCC,” he stated.

     

  • NCC gets new Director, Public Affairs

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Dr. Henry Chukwudumeme Nkemadu as its new Director,Public Affairs (DPA).

    His appointment, according to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, is in line with the Commission’s policy of putting round pegs in round holes for optimum delivery of responsibilities especially now that the stakes are getting higher for the Commission’s regulatory oversight.

    “Dr. Henry has had a rewarding opportunity of traversing the entire telecom regulatory ecosystem, which experience he will find handy as the new spokesman of the Commission.” Prof. Danbatta added.

    A well groomed professional, Nkemadu who is a consummate communicator, joined the NCC as Principal Manager in Business Development in September 2003 with responsibilities as strategist for the department, evaluating, regulating and managing all departmental requirements. He handled proposals on capacity building initiatives in liaison with international agencies for capacity building. He became a full Director, a few weeks ago.

    Read Also: NCC bankrolls research, devt in varsities

    He, holds multiple degrees/certificates in several disciplines from three universities both in Nigeria and the United States of America (USA). He has transversed several departments within the NCC and garnered wide and varied experience in the workings of the commission. He was Deputy Director/Head, Special Intervention Projects of the Project Department where he superintended the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/control and close out of intervention projects carried out by the Commission.

  • NCC reports NCAA to ONSA over threat to demolish telecoms towers

    The masts row between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and telecoms companies is getting bigger.

    Telecoms regulator Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reported the threat by NCAA to pull down 8,805 telecoms and financial institutions’ towers to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The NCAA served the demolition notice on Tuesday over aviation tower height clearance.

    But the NCC argued that telecoms masts fall under critical national infrastructure, insisting that any attempt to tamper with them must be with the approval of ONSA.

    NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr. Sunday Dare, in an exclusive note, expressed dismay at the unilateral decision of the aviation regulator, arguing that the issue ought to have been addressed at inter-agency level instead of turning it to a media issue.

    He said: “The NCC immediately wrote the ONSA about the threat of demolition by the NCCA. The Commission takes this renewed attempt to carry out the demolition very seriously and will activate all necessary and legal means to forestall it.

    “NCC expects that at the minimum the NCCA would relate directly with the Commission as the regulator on this matter in the spirit of government inter-agency collaboration towards some sort of arbitration and resolution. To have chosen to make the matter a media issue suggests some kind of subtle ambush against the operators.”

    Read Also: NCC grants to varsities coming

    According to him, the NCAA will unduly expose the country to national security risk as its action would trigger communication blackout while financial institutions which automated teller machines (ATMs) depend on the telecoms towers will not be able to function.

    Dare said: “The path the NCCA is towing is not in the best interest of the country as the proposed demolition will have serious security implications. Thousands of subscribers will lose connectivity, bank ATMs will shut down and critical equipment leveraging telecom infrastructure will no longer function.

    “Telecoms infrastructure has been classified as Critical National Infrastructure with a subsisting directive that any act of either, demolition, destruction or degradation be cleared with the Office of the National Security Adviser.”

    NCAA had said it will commence the immediate demolition of 8,805 telecoms masts belonging to Globacom Nigeria Limited, banks and other financial institutions.

    According to the NCAA, the demolition exercise will also affect some banks and other financial institutions who have discountenanced the authority’s regulatory requirements on the clearance to erect any high structure within the navigable airspace in Nigeria.