NCC Urges Telecommunications Operators to Respect Licensing Requirements, Addresses Stakeholder Engagement

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has encouraged telecoms licences across different areas of the telecommunications sector to strictly follow their licensing obligations, in order to ensure the adequate provision of services to their consumers.

This call was made by the Chairman of the NCC’s Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande at the third edition of the Commission’s Talk to The Regulator (TTR) Forum, which took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. The theme of the programme was: ‘Improving Stakeholder Satisfaction’.

According to Akande, the essence of conducting the forum across the country’s geo-political zones was to show the Commission’s licensees that responsibility does not end with receiving licenses, but with working closely with the licensing authority to address matters affecting regular operations.

Even past the issuance of licenses to the operators, Akande announced in a statement that the Commission is truly concerned with setting own the necessary regulatory frameworks as well as initiatives that can encourage the smooth execution of licence conditions.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC & CEO) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, when speaking on the centrality of stakeholder engagement to the Commission’s regulatory activities said that the Commission takes feedback from stakeholders’ engagement initiatives as vital to building a robust licensing era in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

The EVC – represented at the forum by the Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu – emphasised the Commission’s commitment to stakeholder engagement as a way to solidify collaboration with licencees, identify concerns and jointly develop and execute practical solutions.

Danbatta stated that the focus of discussion for the stakeholder meetings had been on licensing processes, procedures and policies all working towards improving stakeholder satisfaction. He emphasised the need to gather insights from every geo-political zone in order to encourage mutually beneficial relationships and boost understanding between the Commission and its important stakeholders.

Danbatta stated that notable successes have been recorded due to the Commission’s focus on giving stakeholders top priority. He stated that contributions to the country’s GDP grew to 14.42% in Q2 2021, active internet subscriptions surpassed 140 million, teledensity reached 99.98%, and broadband penetration hit 40.01% as at the end of September 2021.