Yemisi Izuora
Exponential growth rate in Nigeria’s e-Commerce and Online Banking is expected to provide enabling environment for digital economic development of the country.
Already the rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G, has seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more and the introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and email.
Over the past two decades, the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria has transformed from basic voice services to high-speed data that connects, informs, and powers innovations.
The leap to 4G LTE brought faster speeds, enabling video streaming, online gaming, and a myriad of digital activities and now with 5G promising even faster speeds and lower latency, new frontiers are opening for innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things, driving further demand for data.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Aminu Maida, said today as data consumption grows, fueled by digital advancements, there is need to address consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency.
Maida, in his remarks at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, themed “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry.” said the theme is timely, as internet use has become essential to daily life, and our role at the NCC is to not only ensure accessibility but to enhance service delivery for consumers.
Globally, DataReportal notes there are now over 5 billion internet users, with Nigeria alone accounting for 132 million connections.
According to the EVC, Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives.
In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39 per cent increase from the previous year—a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead.
Despite this, many consumers feel their data depletes faster than expected, but Nigeria isn’t alone in this as other countries, like Eswatini, are also working to address similar consumer concerns about data usage.
Earlier this year, the NCC analyzed consumer complaints, revealing data depletion and billing issues as top concerns.
In response, the Agency directed Mobile Network Operators and ISPs to conduct audits of their billing systems, which reported no major issues. However, Maida notes that perceptions persist due to the impact of high-resolution devices and improved technologies on data use and the complexity of operator tariffs.
He informed that with the advent of 4G and 5G, as well as devices with ultra-high-definition screens, data consumption has naturally increased.
For example, he said that while viewing a photo on Instagram might have required only 100 kilobytes of data five years ago but today, with advanced camera resolutions, a photo can consume between two to four megabytes when opened on Instagram.
According to Tech Advisor, an online resource that offers tech reviews, spending an hour on Instagram can set you off an average of 600 Megabytes of your data, while streaming platforms like YouTube would set you off by about 3.5 to 5.4 Gigabytes per hour.
Improved technologies he said go beyond their purchase cost to consumers pockets, they also come at a cost to data.
“Because they have better screen resolutions, they consume higher quality media that consumes more data.
“This is the same for our increasing digital habits: according to DataReportal, the world’s internet users are spending less time watching television; the average daily television viewing has fallen by over 8% in the past one year. These viewers are now spending more time on their telephones, tablets, and smart TVs streaming programmes that they would previously have watched on broadcast television.” he said.
Recognizing these challenges, the Commission, he added in collaboration with major operators, launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness on Smarter Data Usage.
This media campaign, spanning radio, television, newspapers, and SMS, aims to educate consumers on effective data management.
“I am sure many of you have encountered jingles or graphics offering tips for managing data. Our message emphasizes empowering consumers with the knowledge to optimize their data usage.
“For example, many smartphone users may not know that their devices can track data usage and allow them to set limits on the amount of data they want to use.” said the EVC.
He went further to explain that Smartphones, even when idle, often run background applications like automatic updates and location services, which consume data.
Additionally, high-definition streaming services like Netflix consume substantial data which is about three gigabytes per hour in high definition, or seven gigabytes in ultra-high definition.
The Commission believes that an informed consumer is a better-equipped consumer, leading to a clearer understanding of data consumption and reducing misconceptions about data depletion.
In addition, to address tariff complexity, the NCC issued a Guidance on Tariff Simplification, requiring operators to provide clear, accessible information on data plans and pricing. This transparency will empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about their data usage and billing.
In the coming months, the EVC said operators will implement this guidance, presenting consumers with tables detailing their tariff plans, billing rates on each plan, and all terms and conditions related to the tariff plans they are on.
He reiterated the Commission’s Strategic Vision and commitment to meet the expectations of stakeholders: the Consumers, the Industry/Licensees, and the Government.
To achieve this, the Commission is changing focus which has evolved from simply demanding quality service to ensuring a holistic Quality of Experience throughout the telecom consumer’s lifecycle—from SIM registration to usage and even service disposal and to ensure consumers are consistently satisfied with telecom services.
“Over the past months we Our data analysis has shown that quality service delivery is not solely the responsibility of Mobile Network Operators; it requires collaboration across the value chain. Key stakeholders, such as TowerCos, which provide power and shared infrastructure, as well as those providing essential backhaul services, whether by fibre, microwave or even satellite, connecting base stations to the core networks of MNOs, all play crucial roles in ensuring high-quality telecom services.
“In recognition of this, the Commission has revised its guidelines to include provisions that hold each player in the value chain accountable for quality service.
“While the Commission remains committed to these goals, the industry also faces challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom assets, which frustrate operators’ efforts to deliver quality telecom services. In July, through NCC’s advocacy and collaboration with key stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed a Presidential Order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure. This Executive Order strengthens our ability to address issues of vandalism, tampering, and unauthorized access to telecom infrastructure.
“We cannot also ignore the effect of current macroeconomic challenges and the rising cost of business in the country which is impacting the ability of operators to make the necessary investments in the sector.” he explained.
The Commission he added is mindful of this and is actively working with other arms of government and stakeholders to address these issues and ensure the industry’s sustainability.
Maida, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability within the sector as it also finalises Major Incident Reporting Guidelines, which will require operators to inform consumers of major incidents impacting their networks, with these reports also accessible on our website.
Consumers can also soon expect coverage maps detailing operators’ network strength across the country. These maps will indicate coverage gaps, service quality, and signal strength, allowing consumers to make more informed choices when selecting an operator.
