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.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has organized a specialized one-day training program for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), FCT Command, aimed at strengthening the enforcement of Motor Third-Party Insurance and other compulsory policies across Nigerian roads.
The initiative, held in Abuja, focused on equipping law enforcement officers with advanced skills to fast-track insurance policy verification and eliminate the proliferation of fake insurance certificates.
The training was themed “Building a Culture of Insurance Compliance: Police as Catalysts for Protecting Lives, Property and Enhancing Public Safety.” It was designed to empower officers to promote statutory compliance, verify the authenticity of insurance covers during routine checks, and help deepen public appreciation of insurance benefits.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Insurance/CEO of NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon underscored the strategic importance of the collaboration between the regulatory body and the NPF.
He noted that effective public safety extends beyond traditional crime prevention to shielding citizens from the severe financial consequences of unforeseen disasters.
“Insurance serves as a vital social and economic safety net, providing protection for individuals, families, businesses, and public institutions against losses arising from accidents, disasters, and other risks,” Mr. Gam-Ikon stated.
He added that the partnership is critical to reducing the high volume of uninsured vehicles on the roads, protecting commuters, curbing the use of counterfeit insurance certificates, and boosting public trust in regulatory institutions. These objectives, he emphasized, directly align with the provisions of the newly enacted Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and NAICOM’s mandate to deepen market penetration.
The commission highlighted the unique leverage the Nigeria Police Force possesses due to its daily interactions with motorists, business owners, and the public. By strictly enforcing compulsory insurance laws, police officers act as key drivers in reducing accident-related financial hardships and enhancing overall public safety.
During the technical sessions, participants received practical training on:
The core objectives and benefits of compulsory insurance lines.
Standardized digital and manual insurance policy verification procedures.
The foolproof identification of genuine insurance certificates.
The legal framework governing compliance under NIIRA 2025.
The program successfully strengthened the institutional bridge between NAICOM and the NPF, encouraging officers to act not just as law enforcers, but as grassroots advocates for insurance literacy.
Long-Term Commitment
Moving forward, NAICOM reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining close ties with law enforcement and relevant stakeholders to eliminate fake insurance vendors, improve nationwide compliance levels, and position the insurance sector as a meaningful contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth and social stability.
The Commission urged the officers of the FCT Command to champion this cause, fostering an environment where insurance is embraced not merely as a statutory obligation, but as an indispensable tool for safeguarding lives, investments, and livelihoods.
Africa’s leading food manufacturing company, BUA Foods Plc, has proposed a dividend of N28.00 per ordinary share, totalling about N504 billion for the 2025 financial year.
Africa’s leading food manufacturing company, BUA Foods Plc, has proposed a dividend of ₦28.00 per ordinary share, totalling about ₦504 billion for the 2025 financial year.
The company stated that the proposal is subject to shareholders’ approval at its 5th Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 15 July at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. At the meeting, shareholders will also consider the company’s audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025, as well as other statutory and corporate governance matters.
For the 2025 financial year, BUA Foods reported revenue of ₦1.77 trillion, representing a 16 per cent increase over the previous year. The company also recorded a 95 per cent growth in profit after tax to ₦518.4 billion. In comparison,ile total assets increased by 27 per cent to ₦1.39 trillion, reflecting continued investment in manufacturing capacity and capabilities, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.
The food manufacturer noted that the meeting follows a period during which BUA Foods delivered strong financial performance, enhanced operational efficiency, and reinforced its position as one of Nigeria’s most valuable consumer goods companies.
Meeting agenda
Commenting ahead of the meeting, the Managing Director of BUA Foods Plc, Ayodele Abioye, said the AGM would provide an opportunity to engage shareholders, review the company’s performance, and discuss its future direction. He noted that despite a challenging operating environment, the company sustained strong performance through disciplined execution and its commitment to delivering quality food products.
Mr Abioye attributed BUA Foods’ achievements to the support of customers, supply partners, its board, management, employees, and other stakeholders. He added that BUA Foods would continue to focus on creating sustainable long-term value through investments in capacity expansion and strengthening food security in support of national development.
“The 5th Annual General Meeting provides an important opportunity to engage with shareholders, reflect on another year of strong performance, and discuss the future direction of the business. Despite a dynamic operating environment, BUA Foods continued to demonstrate resilience through disciplined execution and an unwavering commitment to delivering quality food products to millions of consumers. Looking ahead, the focus remains on creating sustainable long-term value through continuous investments in capacity expansion, with capabilities that strengthen food security for national development,” Mr Abioye said.
The food company reaffirmed its commitment to delivering sustainable returns, strengthening stakeholder confidence, and advancing its purpose of nourishing lives every day.