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Tag: NCC

  • Active phone lines in Nigeria hit 210m; 150m Internet subscribers

    Active phone lines in Nigeria hit 210m; 150m Internet subscribers

    The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta has released some key telecom industry statistics, saying Nigeria has attained 210 million active telephone lines.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Danbatta disclosed this in his keynote at the 2022 Africa Tech Alliance Forum on Wednesday in Lagos where he also disclosed that Internet subscribers in the country have reached 150 million.

    The NCC EVC, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Digital Economy, Dr. Augustine Nwulunne, in the keynote address, said that quality of life is now being measured in terms of digital connectivity that promotes businesses, social and economic well-being of citizens.

    He stressed digital connectivity has a major role in advancing the gains of development and sustaining the future, as well as attaining the needed quota in attaining a sustainable future and actualizing the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The EVC, who spoke on the theme, “Creating a Sustainable Future through Connectivity”, cited studies to buttress the centrality of digital connectivity to quality of life and stated that the NCC is dedicated to activating regulatory initiatives aimed at deepening connectivity for the overall economic development of Nigeria.

    “Connectivity and development in Nigeria have not been fortuitous, rather they have been as a result of measured, painstaking and strategic policies implementation in the telecommunications sector by the NCC and relevant stakeholders, and we are committed to driving robust and vibrant telecoms sector to enhance further growth of Nigerian economy in all its spheres,” the EVC said.

    According to him, telecommunications sector has become an enabler of economic growth, providing the necessary digital succours that bring greater efficiency in service deliveries in education, healthcare, transportation, commerce, financial services, and other sectors of the economy with greater impact on the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as enhancing other sectoral growth correlating to each of the 17 goals on the SDGs.

    Danbatta said the NCC, through various policies and initiatives, has provided an enabling environment for a fair and liberalized telecommunications industry, by emplacing appropriate regulatory tools and providing relevant regulatory services for mobile network operators (MNOs), who are the primary providers of telecommunication services in the country.

    “The Commission has provided the enabling environment to stimulate the deployment of necessary infrastructure pertinent to the provision of universal and affordable connectivity. The resultant effect of this is that today, we now have over 210 million active telephone lines, representing 110 per cent teledensity; and over 150 million Internet subscribers as well as 45 percent broadband penetration which has enabled over 80 million broadband subscriptions.

    “Telecommunications has been credited with lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty; diversifying the economy and providing over $70bn to Nigeria’s GDP; it has also provided thousands of Nigerians with various employment opportunities. A glance at Nigeria’s historical data on its GDP portrays the upward trajectory of the country’s GDP since the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector. In 2001, Nigeria’s GDP was $74.03 billion, in 2005, it grew to $176.13 billion, and it currently stands at $440.78 billion, and telecom has been a key driver of this growth,” he said.

    The EVC told the audience that the Commission is also driving implementation of various policies and frameworks including the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030; and the ongoing deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) network and other digital interventionist projects aimed at driving universal service availability, accessibility, and availability.

    The highlight of the event was the decoration of Danbatta with an award of “5G Core Leadership Award” while the Commission was named as the corporate organization with “Best Digital Economy Project of the Year 2022” for the regulatory efforts of the Commission in driving commercial deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) network in Nigeria.

  • NCC warns against apps by Mobile Apps Group in Google Play Store

    NCC warns against apps by Mobile Apps Group in Google Play Store

    Following the constant introduction of malicious apps into Google Play Store, the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has advised against the installation of apps from the offending publisher, the ‘Mobile Apps Group’, whose products were discovered to contain Trojans and adware that are harmful to users and their privacy.

    NCC-CSIRT’s advisory on the incident disclosed that “The Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) has continued to observe and monitor the constant introduction of malicious mobile applications into Google Play Store.

    “Mobile apps Group has a history of distributing malware-infected apps through the Google Play store, and the current batch of apps has already been downloaded over a million times” it said.

    It listed this group’s malicious apps as the Bluetooth Auto Connect; Bluetooth App Sender; Driver: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB; and Mobile transfer: smart switch.

    According to the advisory, “The apps will delay the display of ads for up to three days after installation to avoid detection. However, once this period has passed, the user is bombarded with advertisements and is directed to malicious phishing websites in the Chrome browser. While the device is idle, the malicious app can open Chrome tabs in the background. Some of the sites it opens may appear to be harmless, but they are pay-per-click pages that generate revenue for the developers when clicked on.”

    Consequences of installing the malicious apps include the user being bombarded with advertisements, which will degrade the user experience; theft of sensitive user data; clicking on the ads resulting in the stealth download or installation of additional malware, as well as the user privacy and data being jeopardized.

    These unpleasant consequences are avoidable when users refrain from downloading apps developed by Mobile apps Group and ensure to read app reviews before installing any app. Other proffered solutions are for users that may have installed any of the identified malicious apps to immediately uninstall them and to install up-to-date anti-malware solution to detect and remove malware.

    NCC-CSIRT rated the malicious activities of the offending apps as high in probability and potential to do damage.

    The CSIRT is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.

    The CSIRT also works collaboratively with ngCERT, established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risk incidents by preparing, protecting, and securing Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks, and problems or related events.

  • A little alert before another 5G auction in December – By Okoh Aihe

    A little alert before another 5G auction in December – By Okoh Aihe

    Nigeria is in dire straits. She needs money for daily runs and is bungling on the edge of extreme desperation. Desperation can lead to selling of metal scraps for survival or even selling off national assets, as proposed in the 2023 Budget, what in the case of an individual, is pawning, that is, selling off personal items to meet exigent needs. It is not an enviable status to endure. 

    Under this condition, there is a desperation to scratch for everything, including the low hanging fruits, which always present an attractive offer. Frequency or Spectrum for telecommunications services occupy prime place in this consideration. It is therefore no surprise that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecommunications regulator, announced last week, that it was putting out for sale in December 2022, some frequencies for 5G services. 

    Published on the website of the Commission, www.ncc.gov.ng, is a material titled: Information Memorandum on 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction, issued on October 21, 2022. Quite interesting, that material. It details the various steps to be taken to be part of the next auction, gives updates on the country’s telecoms market, and pretty well presents some exciting information why an investor would want to come into the industry to do new business. 3.5GHz is the spectrum for 5G services.

    In a little recap which I will call a superfluous tech peregrination, the NCC says: “In its drive to deepen broadband penetration in the country, the Commission in December 2021, conducted an auction of two (2) lots of 100MHz TDD in the 3.5GHz band to support the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services. The Commission is now desirous of auctioning the remaining two (2) lots of 100MHz TDD in the 3.5GHz band to support the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services in line with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.” 

    The two available lots are 3400 – 3500 and 3600 – 3700. The one put out for sale last year and duly won by MTN and Mafab ranged from 3500 – 3600 and 3700 – 3800 in the 3.5GHz band. Each winner paid $273.5m for a Lot. The licence tenure is 10 years.

    I have observed that while the Reserve Price (RP) for the proposed auction is $273,600,000.00, the RP for the one which was held last year was $197.400,000.00. Quite a significant rise, meaning there must be something happening in the telecommunications market to shoot the price that high. Or the peak of last year has simply become a benchmark for greater things to come!

    Don’t get me wrong. Few months ago, three operators in India shelled out a whole of $19bn for Air Wave or Spectrum sales, and they planned to spend much more than that to roll out services. The auguries are different anyway, the huge population of 1.393bn (2021) and the regulatory environment may have made that eye-popping difference. 

    From all indications, there is so much money to be made from the telecommunications industry, either by way of investment or returns or even license fees which go to the government. However, caution is called for before the goose that lays the golden egg (oh that cliche again!) is crushed to death in a moment of rapacious greed. 

    I can’t say I feel the excitement in the industry the way it was last year. And my reaction is even more hebetated. Here are my reasons. The investment environment is not as good as it was last year, it is election season and there is a lot of uncertainty hovering all over, and there are the cynics who will simply assume that the process is not for altruistic purposes but for something beyond the love for telecoms. 

    And there is something about credibility and regulatory propriety. The NCC is very much concerned about this, very concerned about industry and public perception, which is why, each time it would refer to its history of regulatory transparency and its reputable standing in the global gathering of regulators.

    During the auction last year, this writer gathered that the participants had squeezed a promise from the regulator that it would put a moratorium on further 5G auctions for at least 24 months. This would at least enable the pioneer 5G operators to recoup some of their investment before others would get the opportunity to join the fray. Only MTN is rolling out service at the moment, Mafab has yet to fully engage, not to talk of making some money back. It is not even 12 months yet, another process has started, leading to some kind of frosty response from some industry stakeholders.

    There is also another response that should be of reasonable concern to the regulator. Some internal stakeholders are highly disenchanted with goings-on at the Commission. Some sources within the regulatory agency conversant with the regulatory processes, are very unhappy for what they feel is overbearing political pressure on the regulator to break its rules and kowtow to political avarice. 

    The regulatory authority should be concerned with lamentations within the system and appropriate their concerns to regenerate a new direction for the agency. A source told this writer that “This is nothing more than political pressure. NCC is in a difficult position and has lost its independence. The Commission has nowhere to run to for protection. No independence for the Board and no independence for the Commission,” multiple sources lamented. 

    Another source added, “there is no reason for this rush. Nothing says that the process must be completed before this set of politicians will end their term in office. There is no good for this rush,” the source added with signs of exasperation.

    On this page we have complained about regulatory capture of some agencies, a situation where the laws and raw energies of an agency are hijacked or appropriated by an individual or a higher authority who assumes the responsibilities of the agency.  It brings scorn and ridicule to the agency and accentuates a helplessness that scares investors. Under this administration, the day-to-day running of some visible agencies have been taken over by the ministers who in some instances have awarded licenses without recourse to the agency. It is a most humiliating enterprise, and a troubling sign to local and international investors that the laws of the land can be castrated with political braggadocio.

    Mercifully for all of us, the document on the NCC website is still a draft and is open to observations, questions, responses and even objections until November 11, 2022, when all those views will be processed for a final release and publication of the full document on November 18, 2022.

    But here is my very humble question: who wants this license so much that is pressuring the regulatory agency to subvert its own rules, propriety and a legacy of regulatory transparency? While the answer is being minted, I suggest that the process be suspended, and also appeal to the politicians to leave the NCC alone, even in tatters. There will be enough time to recover and gather strength again.

    This auction, in my own opinion, is not being done because government needs money to run the economy, or for the love of pervasive spread of broadband facilities across the nation, but shamefully because there must be some guys somewhere who want to make a final heist. Irrespective of the overwhelming power of greed, the NCC must be allowed to live its own life, the life of a regulator.

  • NCC to accelerate deployment of emerging technologies in Nigeria

    NCC to accelerate deployment of emerging technologies in Nigeria

    The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has stated that NCC will not relent in the promotion of latest and emerging technologies to energize business and the sector in Nigeria for the benefit of the country and its citizens.

    Speaking to a cross section of stakeholders at the just-concluded Cyberchain Abuja 2022, Danbatta said the telecom sector has been a key booster of the Nigerian economic activities, transforming the way people live and work as well as increasing efficiency in other sectors of the economy.

    Danbatta said the Commission is committed to driving the deployment and adoption of emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), utilisation of value of Big Data, Blockchain, Robotics and Virtual Reality, FINTECH, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Telemedicine, among others, to stimulate greater contribution of the sector to the economy.

    He said it is also gladdening that telecoms has been an enabler of Nigeria’s economic growth and development as it contributes substantially to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “From $500 million investments in the sector as at 2001, the telecommunications industry has recorded over $70 billion investment till date, while the growth in the sector has been phenomenal, from some 400,000 functional phone lines in 2001 to over 209 million active mobile subscriptions, achieving a teledensity of 110 per cent, as at August 2022.

    “The sector has provided over 500,000 formal and informal jobs for Nigerians. From an insignificant contribution to GDP in 2001, telecoms sector, as at the last quarter of 2021, contributed 12.61 per cent to GDP, while the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector as a group, has also contributed 18.44 per cent to GDP as at the second quarter of 2022”, he said.

    “For us as a country to reap the full benefits of all these emerging technologies in ways that further spur growth in our national economy, NCC prioritises the need to improve and expand broadband infrastructure and the deployment of new technology such as the Fifth Generation of Mobile Communication (5G). Our efforts in diligently driving this will facilitate the actualization of the set targets in the Federal Government’s digital economy policy,” he said.

    Danbatta noted that with the rapid digital transformation happening through telecommunication sector, the country will be in a better position to create alternate economy for diversification, innovation and creativity in e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship, thus empowering a significant number of the populace to become self-reliant and self-employed.

  • NCC committed to FG’s anti-corruption crusade – Danbatta

    NCC committed to FG’s anti-corruption crusade – Danbatta

    Consistent with its recognition as an ethically-compliant public institution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with other government agencies towards supporting Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaigns.

    This was stated by the Director, Human Capital and Administration, Mr. Usman Malah, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, to host a delegation from the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), which paid a courtesy visit to commend NCC for its role in enabling embrace of digital culture in the country.

    According to Malah, the NCC earned a score of 81.15 percent in the year 2020, putting it in the top 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government among 352 MDAs assessed on Ethics Compliance and Integrity Scorecard (ECIS) by the ICPC.

    Malah told the PCC delegation that “with this performance, the Commission also emerged as the most ethically compliant government regulatory agency for the year 2020 under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.”

    According to Malah, it was natural for NCC to support efforts geared towards tackling corruption in the country. Therefore, he said NCC was willing to collaborate with the PCC to boost anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government aimed at curbing corruption and negative tendencies among the Nigerian youth.

    The Commission acknowledged PCC’s enlightenment programme on anti-corruption targeted at the Nigerian public, the youths and students, who, he said, can be great stakeholders for the sustainability of the anti-corruption campaign, and support for telecom sector initiatives to boost the national economy.

    Malah said the “NCC also strongly associates with the central objective of PCC, which is to redress all forms of administrative injustice in Nigeria, and the noble goal of promoting social justice, especially in a world that is increasingly complex and sophisticated for the average individual, given the rapid advancements in technology and diversity of practices.”

    Earlier, the PCC Secretary, Philip Enyali, who represented the Chief Commissioner (Ombudsman of the Federal Republic), Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf, commended Danbatta for maintaining zero tolerance for corruption and for the noble achievements of the Commission under his leadership. Ayo-Yusuf said NCC strides have seen the telecommunications sector contributing immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and overall economic growth of the nation.

    Enyali stated that the PCC’s purpose of visiting the NCC was to intimate the telecom regulator on the scheduled Anti-Corruption Marathon at the Eagle Square, Abuja, as well as the National Youth and Students Summit which will take place later in December 2022.

    “We are here to request the support and partnership of the NCC in hosting the two events targeted at curbing anti-corruption tendencies among the Nigerian youth as well as create opportunity to discourage young people from indulging in corrupt practices,” Ayo-Yusuf said.

  • 5G has no negative health effects – NCC reassures Nigerians

    5G has no negative health effects – NCC reassures Nigerians

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has reassured the public that the new Fifth Generation network known as 5G has no adverse health effects.

    The Enugu Zonal Controller of the NCC, Mr Ogbonnaya Ugama made the clarification in Enugu on Saturday at a round table with members of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFEs).

    Ugama explained that there was no convincing evidence that emissions from electromagnetic devices including handsets were harmful to the body.

    According to him, international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) have established a threshold that there is no solid evidence that 5G causes negative health effects on humans and animals.

    The controller however, advised users not to hold these electromagnetic devices like handsets close to their body if they had doubts.

    “NCC will do everything possible to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and ensure that every equipment with set standards is approved.

    Ugama reiterated the benefits of the 5G network saying that it was designed to increase speed, reduce latency and improve flexibility of wireless services.

    “5G has theoretical peak speed of 20 Gigabytes per Second (GBPS) while the peak speed of 4G is only one GBPS.

    “5G can transform the Nigeria’s economy, dwelling on its projected impact in sectors of education, finance, security, agriculture, healthcare, entertainment and even governance,” he said.

    The controller disclosed that Nigeria was the third country in Africa that had rolled out the 5G network adding that it was operational in six states of Lagos, Imo, Borno, Kano, Rivers, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Ugama said the network would be extended to other states by 2025.

  • NCC commends collaboration among government agencies

    NCC commends collaboration among government agencies

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commended the level of collaboration existing between government agencies which have contributed to a healthy approach to meeting the strategic objectives of different organisations.

    Zonal Controller of Enugu Zone of the Commission, Ogbonnna Ugama, who received the leadership of Enugu Chapter of the Association of Heads of Federal Government Establishments (AHFGEs), on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta, said such collaboration has assisted the Commission to achieve some of its goals.

    Ugama told the AHFGEs delegation, which was on a courtesy visit, that the NCC has over the years partnered with many organizations, both within the private and public sectors and that such partnerships have helped to enhance the performance of the sector in terms of contribution to the national economy.

    He said this has informed the Commission to place a lot of premium on collaboration as an item of agenda in its strategic mission. Ugama also said the leadership of NCC has developed the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 and the Strategic Vision Implementation Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 as roadmaps towards accomplishing its mandate, with collaboration as one of the focus areas of regulatory pursuit.

    He conveyed the EVC’s appreciation to the leadership of AHFGE for seeking greater collaboration with NCC.

    Earlier, the Chairperson of Enugu Chapter of AHFGE, Ifeoma Ijetta, who commended the NCC Zonal Office for approving to host the next meeting of AHFGE’s in Enugu, emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration among Federal Government Establishments for effective service delivery to the citizens.

    “The success of the government is measured by the collective success of all component units delivering on their different mandates and we are happy with NCC’s positive honour for our proposal and noted commitment to collaboration and partnership,” she said.

  • NCC cautions parents on children’s uncontrolled online presence

    NCC cautions parents on children’s uncontrolled online presence

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged parents and guardians to monitor and manage the engagement of their children online as the uncontrolled exposure to cyberspace is fraught with a lot of negativities to children’s wellbeing.

    Contributing during the recent First Web Rangers Nigeria Summit in Abuja, a Google’s initiative that focuses on developing digital literacy and equipping telecom consumers with the knowledge they require for their online safety, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said it is imperative to know what our children are doing in the cyberspace.

    At the Summit, with the theme, “Navigating the Responsibility of Online Safety Between Users, Providers and Regulators”, which discussed measures for addressing challenges posed by online criminal activities as they affect children and the youth, Danbatta, represented by the Director, New Media and Information Security (NMIS), Dr. Haru Alhassan, said that the Commission is committed to supporting the governance and security of the nation’s cyberspace, as well as facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies and acquisition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills.

    He said the telecom regulator is aware of the responsibilities entrusted on it in ensuring safety in the digital ecosystem, which informed its establishment of NCC Computer Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) that was inaugurated in 2021.

    He explained that CSIRT responds to computer security incidents to regain control and minimise damage, providing or assisting with effective incident response and recovery, and inhibiting computer security incidents such as malware, virus, and online child threats.

    Alhassan also recalled the Commission’s establishment of the Internet Industry Code of Practice (ICP) in 2019, which is designed to secure the country’s cyberspace against imminent threats from cyber attackers as well as addressing issues such as online child protection, privacy and data protection, among others

    Dr. Alhassan noted that the Commission is a member of the National Committee on the Development of a Unified National Strategy on Child Online Protection (COP) in Nigeria and emphasised that NCC regularly sensitizes parents and children on cybercrime trends such as cyberbullying, phishing, and online identity theft.

    Dawn Dimowo, Manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google Nigeria, stated that the Summit is an opportunity for strengthening the advocacy for digital safety and allowing the youth to share their innovation.

    The maiden web ranger summit was anchored by the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC) through the Digital Inclusion and Safer Internet (DISI) programme.

    As an organisation, the PPDC has successfully pioneered safer internet and digital inclusion practices and activities in some schools and among many stakeholders in Nigeria. Some of these initiatives are the development of the Online Safety Curriculum, the Web Rangers Clubs, online safety training for staff and students, and the annual celebration of safer internet day in collaboration with the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC).

  • NCC receives cybersecurity award, seeks safer Internet usage

    NCC receives cybersecurity award, seeks safer Internet usage

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) at the weekend received a cybersecurity promotion award from the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigerian (CSEAN) and called on relevant stakeholders to join hands with NCC to promote safer Internet experience in Nigeria.

    The award was conferred on the Commission in recognition of NCC’s sterling contributions to the protection of telecom consumers from all forms of cybercrimes. The conferment ceremony took place at the maiden edition of Cybersecurity Merit Awards (CMA-2022) organised by CSEAN in Lagos.

    Receiving the 2022 Cybersecurity Award for Best Public Sector Organisation at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who was represented by a delegation led by the Director, New Media and Information Security (NMIS), Dr. Alhassan Haru; and Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, thanked the orgainser for the recognition.

    He told the audience that tackling the menace of cybercrime in the country has become even more imperative as the success of the implementation of digital economy policy and strategy depends on a strong foundation of cybersecurity architecture in Nigeria.

    Danbatta said one of the key pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, is Soft Infrastructure, which is premised on harnessing policy and regulatory initiatives to create an enabling environment that focuses on increased protection for users of digital products and services in the country. “The Commission is committed to ensuring that the Nigerian cyberspace is protected against the nefarious activities of cybercriminals that endanger unsuspecting Internet users in the country,” he said.

    The EVC said it is in recognition of the strategic role the cyberspace plays in the advancement of digital economy that the Commission created NMIS department in charge of several activities, initiatives and programmes pivoted on collaboration to enhance cybersecurity and information security in the Nigerian cyberspace. “We have continued to be part of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), promote Child Online Protection as well as create awareness on cyber threats through the NCC’s Computer Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT), which constantly monitors the cyberspace and publishes advisories on identified cyber threats,” the EVC said.

    Danbatta said as the regulator of telecom sector, the main carrier of cyber communication, the NCC has leveraged NDEPS to work with relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment where Internet users are able to navigate the cyberspace without being abused, attacked or losing money. The Chief telecom regulator appealed to all stakeholders to join hands with the Commission in tackling every manifestation of cyber threat.

    The CMA 2020 is organized to recognise individuals, startups, private businesses, Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government, as well as state governments for excellence, innovation, and effective leadership in promoting cybersecurity ecosystem in Nigeria.

  • Telecoms: Regulatory lawmaking as a distractive pastime – By Okoh Aihe

    Telecoms: Regulatory lawmaking as a distractive pastime – By Okoh Aihe

    The other day some idle lawmakers went to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on a single mission: to intimate the head that they have put in motion the process of merging some parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. The parastatals include: the NCC, National Information Development  Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone and NigComSat. It occupied little space in the media. But that was more than enough for them to register their intention. 

    I can’t confirm whether there was any applause from any quarters. But obviously not mine. That piece of news ruined my day. I like to sit and enjoy my cup of green tea. Hot. Plain. No cream. No other thing. All at peace with myself. Any other thing at this time is an unsolicited intervention. But these people, they know how to make somebody boil over even in moments of tranquil or even cold. 

    This writer is aware that one of the recommendations of the Oronsanye Report of April 2012, was for some ministries and parastatals to be merged, and the civil service de-layered to ensure that no director stays in a position/office for more than eight years. But once the change of this administration happened to Nigeria in 2015, that Report was out through the window, and the change agents seized the intervening period to surreptitiously employ and load the civil service with their children and some other lackeys, a majority of who were hardly ready for the job foisted on them. It is roguish reductiveness and gratuitous insult to reason that in the final days in office, this government has just realised the beauty of that report and is canvassing an implementation. What of the people already planted in offices to enjoy a growth into the future and manage the various levers of the civil service and by extension the government even with scant knowledge? There is no doubt that some of these stories will wash up much later. 

    The ad-hoc committee in the House of Representatives entrusted with all this important job is chaired by Victor Danzaria (APC, Gombe). As reported the Rep member who feels very cool with this job said at the meeting: “The ad-hoc Committee is critically looking at these agencies , their existence and looking at possible synergies and mergers of these agencies to give effective service to Nigerians.

    “One area is research, second is revenue generation and thirdly is regulatory functions and service delivery and at the end of the day, this is what Nigerians want.”

    What a jumbled line of reasoning and the cheek of it all, to appropriate what Nigerians want!

    In a well reasoned response, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), pointed out the functions of the agencies listed in the consideration but counselled, matter of factly, that the lawmakers should seek expert opinions to review existing laws and operational frameworks. 

    Could it be a matter of coincidence that at this particular time, Mr Bright Igbako, pioneer secretary of the NBC, was working on a material titled: Need to Rework the Structure of Broadcast Regulatory Body in Nigeria: A Comparative Study? This material was published recently in some media outlets and I would implore the lawmakers to search it out. 

    The study takes a look at the Office of Communications (Ofcom) in the United Kingdom, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and the very exciting provisions of the Constitution of Ghana which provides for the National Media Commission (NMC). 

    The aforementioned are converged regulators, meaning that broadcast and telecom matters are handled under one roof, and this seems to be what is inspiring our lawmakers. But it’s not. I will make some explanations about my position.

    “Structurally, ‘the FCC is directed by five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for five year terms, except when filling an unexpired term. The President designates one of the commissioners to serve as the chairperson, only three commissioners may be members of the same political party.’ It is not a system where the winner takes all, Igbako observed.

    The story of Ghana is even more interesting. The National Media Commission draws its 15members from different organisations and professions, including religious groups, and enjoys the latitude to do their job professionally. 

    Part of the law setting it up states that ‘Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution or by any other law not inconsistent with this Constitution, the National Media Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority in the performance of its functions.’

    Igbako also points out that in Nigeria the Public Services Rules empower “a Minister to exercise control over parastatals at policy level through the Board of the parastatals”. This is the bane of regulation in the country and a painful situation that has led to pervasive regulatory capture in Nigeria. 

    It has been suggested in the past for the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors to come under one regulatory body. Such possibilities have never really been explored, mostly for reasons of turf control, not only by the employees in the two organisations, but by successive governments that want to micromanage the organisations.

    Let me state here that what these lawmakers are proposing has nothing to do with effective regulation or what Nigerians want but a convoluted script that has long been foretold. A document hatched by some fellows who believe that every other Nigerian is dim-witted and stupid. Beyond regulatory capture, it is the final discombobulation of the NCC, attenuating it to a receding shadow of a regulatory body which, once upon a time, radiated glory to the international community. 

    Let’s see how this story sticks. The NCC is a regulator of the telecommunications industry. NITDA is a development agency instituted to promote the development of technology in Nigeria. Both Galaxy Backbone and NigComSat are government businesses that operate for profit and return same to the federation account. 

    Dr Isa Ali Pantami, who is the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, used to be the Director General of NITDA. Since becoming minister, the NCC has deliberately been weakened for the ascendancy of NITDA as some functions that were previously undertaken by the NCC through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) which is provided for by the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, have been ceded to NITDA through some obnoxious manipulations in lawmaking.

    Galaxy Backbone came into operations in 2006. It is described as the network and data hosting infrastructure platform for public and private sector organisations. Once formed, the ministries, government agencies and parastatals were pressured to do business with the organisation at commercial rates. It was discomforting then that the government should set up the agency to struggle for businesses with telecommunications operators who were rolling out services at huge cost. As it is, the government always wins.

    NigComSat was a small project office at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), which eventually became a government business, a limited liability company in 2004, responsible for the operations and management of Nigerian Communications Satellites. The agency is to sell the satellite space in Nigerian satellites and remit money to the federation account. 

    Unfortunately, NigComSat has become a prestige business which hovers on the propinquity of a scrap business. Since the launch of its main satellite, NigComSat-1, de-orbited a few months later, there is neither profit or even sales of reasonable proportions. The existence of that business, with the coming of NigComSat-1R, is real but achievement is vague and disastrous. NASRDA, which should be a home for the super brains in space technology, just like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, is not properly funded while  NigComSat has become a loss-making distraction. 

    The call by the lawmakers is unpleasantly ill-timed. The NCC is a regulator, so designed by the Act, and not a business. The regulator should habour no accommodation for businesses or it will be distracted to death. It should not even have a place for a development agency. The lawmakers only have a dream, but a bad one. They and their puppeteers are only interested in the flagging fortunes of the regulator who, in every sense, needs help. Real help.