2026 WCRD: Telecoms consumers urge Nigerian Government to strengthen data privacy, safety standards

*Digital consumers under the aegis of the Association of Telecommunications, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers, on the occasion of the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day, i Lagos, urge subscribers to utilise other platforms, such as the Nigerian Communications Commission and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s Web portals to escalate issues when they experience poor service quality

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As Nigerian stakeholders joined the rest of the global community in commemorating the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) held worldwide Sunday, March 15, a telecoms consumers’ group has urged the Federal Government to ensure the safety of telecoms subscribers’ data being hosted by diverse government agencies in the digital ecosystem.

The telecoms consumers, who made the appeal to the Federal Government Monday, March 16, in Lagos, alleged their personal data are being compromised by some of its agencies.

Economy: Hundreds of new jobs as UK, Nigerian businesses invest in millions, scale operations –Official

ConsumerConnect reports the theme for the World Consumer Rights Day 2026, observed March 15, was: “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”.

The focus highlights the universal right to safe, non-hazardous products, and aims to strengthen safety standards, increase transparency in supply chains, and booost consumer confidence in both physical and digital markets worldwide.

Speaking at the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day, held in Lagos, Dr. Sina Bilesanmi, President of Association of Telecommunications, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers (ATCIS), tasked the government on ensuring that every subscriber in Nigeria could use digital services without fear of physical, financial, or data-related threats.

Bilesanmi also observed that safety in the telecommunications sector of the economy extends beyond physical hardware to include data privacy and protection from cyberfraud.

The President of Association of ATCIS stated: “We call for stricter enforcement by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to eliminate substandard mobile devices and Cable TV equipment that pose fire or electric hazards.

“We also want safe services from telecoms (firms) that are transparent – free from hidden charges and misleading advertisements.”

He equally advised telecoms subscribers to utilise platforms, such as ACTIS, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) Web portals to report issues when they experience poor service quality.

Bilesanmi as well urged the Federal Government to host Nigerian Data Privacy in the West African country.

“We ask for more robust surveillance and swifter penalties for entities that violate consumer safety standards. “We admonish the subscribers to be aware and speak out, a vigilant consumer is a protected consumer,” stated ACTIS President.