BY OR REPORTER —In a move aimed at tightening regulatory oversight and improving service delivery standards, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has announced plans to deploy independent audit professionals to assess whether telecom operators are adhering to consumer protection directives, particularly on compensation for poor-quality service.

Maida disclosed this during the first media engagement session of 2026 held in Abuja on Friday, explaining that the initiative is designed to ensure full enforcement of recent rules requiring operators to compensate users affected by substandard voice and data performance.

According to him, “We will be bringing in external verification experts to confirm that service providers are complying with the established guidelines.”

He further revealed a significant decline in customer complaints relating to network quality, noting that figures dropped from 351,000 to 75,000 following the 2025 tariff review.

Maida encouraged subscribers to make use of the NCC’s dedicated toll-free channels—300 and 622—to report service challenges, while also directing them to the Commission’s online portal for guidance on common service-related issues.

He emphasized that regulatory actions are grounded in openness and accountability, stating that operators have already been issued clear policy instructions to guide compliance.

On infrastructure protection, Maida noted that cooperation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is yielding positive outcomes, with a noticeable reduction in fiber optic cable damage at construction zones across the country.

He also confirmed ongoing expansion of fifth-generation (5G) network infrastructure in major cities, alongside efforts to optimize unused spectrum resources. In addition, he said a comprehensive review of the National Telecommunications Policy is currently underway.

While acknowledging that sector performance still falls short of expectations, he stressed that steady progress is being made.

Other ongoing initiatives include resolution of outstanding USSD-related debts, implementation of a 24-month compliance timeline for new corporate governance standards for operators, and collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to advance digital financial access while curbing electronic fraud.

On handset pricing, Maida stated that regulatory decisions take global market dynamics into account, including coordination with manufacturers to ensure fair consumer pricing.

Addressing concerns over harmful online content, he said the Commission is working with relevant government agencies to develop appropriate intervention mechanisms.

Earlier, the Head of Public Affairs at NCC, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, described the forum as part of sustained stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at strengthening resilience and long-term stability in the telecommunications industry, adding that it provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and media partnership.

Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, also praised media practitioners for accurate reporting and for maintaining oversight of regulatory activities.

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L-R Dr Usman Jankara (Deputy Commissioner Technical; National Insurance Commission), Dr Mathew Olumide Adepoju (Director General NASRDA), Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin (Commissioner for Insurance National Insurance Commission) and Mr Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon (Deputy Commissioner Finance and Administration National Insurance Commission)

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Nigeria’s insurance industry is set for a Satellite Data Powers New Era of Insurance Expansion in Nigeria transformation as the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) move to harness satellite and geospatial technology to deepen market penetration, strengthen enforcement, and modernize risk management nationwide.

At a high-level meeting between both institutions, leaders agreed on a strategic partnership that will deploy space-based intelligence to unlock new insurance opportunities, improve compliance, and support broader economic resilience. The initiative signals a shift toward data-driven regulation and innovation in Nigeria’s insurance ecosystem.

Director General of NASRDA, explained that the partnership would harness NASRDA’s geospatial and satellite capabilities to generate accurate, evidence‑based datasets. According to him, these datasets will underpin modern insurance products, strengthen regulatory enforcement, and unlock economic value at both federal and sub‑national levels. He further highlighted the importance of insurance in safeguarding high‑value national assets, citing a previous insured satellite replacement as a practical demonstration of insurance effectiveness in managing sovereign risk.

On his part, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, emphasized that the initiative aligns strongly with NAICOM’s strategic transformation agenda and its commitment to swift, results‑oriented reforms. He noted the opportunity to deploy geospatial intelligence to identify public buildings and other insurable assets for compulsory coverage, as well as to support the development of a robust national catastrophic risk insurance framework.

NAICOM reaffirmed its core regulatory pillars—policyholder protection, regulatory capacity enhancement, legal and regulatory modernization, financial soundness through recapitalization, and innovation and sustainability—underscoring that the partnership directly advances its innovation and access objectives.

Under the partnership framework, both agencies will collaborate on the development of a national catastrophic insurance framework, high‑resolution property mapping and the creation of a national property database, enhanced enforcement of compulsory insurance for public buildings, and the advancement of insurance penetration through innovation and sustainability initiatives.

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