Honour for Nigeria’s chief telecoms regulator for open-door policy, commitment to consumers’ QoE  

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria’s recent special reception in his honour, restates the Commission’s commitment to growing and strengthening the telecoms industry while delivering Quality of Experience to consumers

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

For being instrumental in fundamental changes recorded in the economy since assumption of office, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has applauded Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for his “open-door leadership policy”, and resilience of the telecoms sector for 14.58 percent contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President of ATCON, leading the procession in showering encomiums on Dr. Maida during the Association’s recent special reception in his honour, in Lagos, thanked the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman for demonstrating an open-door leadership style that has enabled the stakeholders to get closer to the Executive Commissioners.

L-R: Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at NCC; Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NCC; and Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President of ATCON, at the recent event, in Lagos  

Emoekpere expressed confidence in the leadership style of the EVC/CEO of the telecoms regulatory Commission to tackle multifaceted challenges plaguing the industry in Nigeria.

NCC is committed to strengthening telecoms, Quality of Experience for consumers ─Maida

Earlier in his address at the event, Maida had extolled the resilience of the telecoms sector of the economy in its 14.58 percent contribution to the GDP.

He also emphasised that the industry has done well for the West African country.

The EVC/CEO further took the opportunity of the occasion to restate the Commission’s commitment to growing and strengthening the telecommunications industry, while delivering Quality of Experience (QoE) to telecoms consumers.

In regard to some of the current challenges facing the sector, Maida said affirmed though the country has about 200 million connected lines, more than half of the figure are on still 2G technology.

He stated: “So, there is a lot of work to be done, especially in addressing challenges faced by MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for long-term sustainability.”

Appreciating ATCON for the warm reception in his honour, the NCC Chief said: “I want to say a big thank you. I know the challenges are acute, but we are looking at them working with the Minister (for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy).”

In his assessment of how the sector has fared in terms of its contribution to the Nigerian economy during the First Quarter (Q1) of 2024, the EVC/CEO of NCC declared that the industry “has done well for the country, contributing about 14 percent to the GDP.”

He as well assured the industry stakeholders: “You have my assurances that as the regulator, the NCC would always listen and do the right things.

“Please, continue in the spirit of conversation. Let’s see this as a partnership towards a better industry.”

Stakeholders applaud, welcome EVC/CEO of NCC to telecoms industry

Speaking at the event commending Maida, Biodun Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO of VDT Communications, said: “We are happy to have the EVC in our midst. Truly, there are challenges across the country, but ours is peculiar.

“However, with the EVC at the helm of affairs, we are ready to work with you to achieve your visions for this sector. Collaboration is key.”

In his remarks on the occasion, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centres (OADC), also stated: “The changes being made in this sector are instrumental in fundamental changes in the country.

“We have a lot of challenges, however, the new highway is digital. We need a collective approach to tackle our challenges, and we trust in your regulatory competencies (as being celebrated across Africa and beyond) to face these challenges for the betterment of our economy.”

Ike Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty (Nigeria) and former President of ATCON, remarked that “the EVC’s engagements with the telecoms sector have been fruitful.

“So, it is not out of place to formally welcome the EVC to the industry. We look forward to more engagements for fruitful results in the industry.”

In his contribution to the torrent of encomiums on Maida, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo, Managing Director of TECNO Mobile, said: “Tecno is happy to be in this country to impact the lives of Nigerians. We will continue to provide affordable devices and in the quality that is required of us.

“Tecno has been recognised by the NCC as one of the most compliant OEMs in the country.

“We couldn’t have attained that if not for the support from the NCC and the industry advocacy group, ATCON.”

On Dr. Maida’s entourage to the special reception in his honour, in Lagos, included Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs (DPA); and Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Head of Media Relations Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission and Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).