*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, congratulates the visiting newly-elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, urging the young population to actively participate in safeguarding critical telecoms infrastructure across the country
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
As part of its continued consumer education and sensitisation initiative in the ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged youths, students, and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to safeguard the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
ConsumerConnect reports the NCC has stressed that vandalism, fiber optic theft, and destruction of facilities directly hinder network quality, digital connectivity, and economic growth.
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The telecoms sector regulatory Commission again, recently charged the entire Nigerian youths, students and Corps members alike to deliberately take an active role in safeguarding the country’s essential telecoms infrastructure.
The telecoms regulator described these essential facilities as critical national assets that drive education, innovation, economic growth and digital connectivity in the economy.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, gave this charge during a recent courtesy and familiarisation visit by the newly-elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to the Commission’s Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.
Why we need youths’ support to combat telecoms assets vandalism: NCC
The meeting underscored further reinforced the NCC’s active consumer education and sensitisation campaign to stop telecoms vandalism in Nigeria.
This also involves enlisting the support of younger generation of Nigerians to protect the critical information infrastructure in their respective local environments across the West African country.
Emphasising the ultimate significance of doing this in complementing the broader efforts at ensuring effective protection of telecommunications infrastructure, the Commission has explained why it is important to sustain and improve on the network operators’ Quality of Service (QoS) delivery.
Dr. Maida, represented by Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, welcomed the NANS leadership delegation, and congratulated Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, newly elected NANS President, and members of the Association’s Executive Council.
He also commended the Association for its peaceful transition of leadership within the national students’ body.
The EVC/CEO of the Commission, during the visit, recalled the longstanding relationship between the NCC and NANS.
According to him, the collaboration has remained strong due to mutual respect, dialogue and constructive engagement.
Maida expressed confidence that the new NANS leadership would build on the achievements of its predecessors.
Besides, the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman encouraged NANS to actively participate in the Commission’s stakeholder engagement processes, especially public consultations on regulatory and consumer-related matters.
This is to ensure that the interests of Nigerian students are equally reflected in telecoms policy development in Nigeria, stated he.
Maida highlights key industry challenges
Highlighting some of the pressing challenges in the telecoms sector, Maida mentioned vandalism of telecoms facilities, theft of fibre optic cables and network equipment, destruction of critical infrastructure, and Right-of-Way (RoW) issues in several states of the Federation as major obstacles to effective service delivery.
He, therefore, charged NANS to support efforts at increasing awareness among students on the need to safeguard telecoms facilities within and outside educational institutions across the country.
Significance of sustained public awareness, civic engagement
Restating the strategic importance of the industry to the economy, Maida declared that telecoms infrastructure remains the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Chief Executive of the Commission explained how these assets play a vital role in learning, research, innovation and communication in Nigeria.
Said he: “Students can support national efforts aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure through awareness and responsible civic engagement.”
Some NCC’s recent key programmes and initiatives
Dr. Maida discussed several initiatives, which the Commission is implementing to promote digital inclusion and create more opportunities for young Nigerians.
These, he stated, include the deployment of digital infrastructure through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), the establishment of Digital Parks in tertiary institutions and programmes, designed to support digital learning and innovation.
The Commission also disclosed that it is currently consulting stakeholders on a proposed framework that could allow access to certain approved educational platforms without data charges under specific conditions in the ecosystem.
Strategic importance of consumer protection to industry sustainability
Reaffirming the Commission’s creed of making telecoms consumers its core mandate, Dr. Maida stressed the NCC’s commitment to safeguarding telecoms consumers’ interests through effective regulation.
The Chief Executive of NCC further encouraged students to take advantage of consumer education and sensitisation resources available on the Commission’s corporate Web site for better understanding of data management, consumer rights and complaint resolution procedures.
NANS President responds
Earlier, in his speech during the visit, Comrade Akinteye, President of NANS, had commended the NCC for sustaining a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the national students’ body.
The student leader applauded the telecoms regulator’s openness to dialogue and stakeholder engagement.
According to Akinteye, such an approach is a model that has encouraged students to pursue peaceful and responsible advocacy on national issues.
It is noted the NANS’ visit further underscored the commitment of both organisations to strengthening collaboration in advancing digital development, consumer awareness and youth participation in the telecoms sector of the Nigerian economy.
About NANS
The National Association of Nigerian Students is the apex governing body for students in the country and the Diaspora, with a collective voice representing over 40 million students.
Founded in 1956 as the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), it was rebranded to NANS, following its proscription in the 1980s, report stated.
Comrade Akinteye currently heads the national leadership as the current President of NANS.