Building a New Industry Connectivity on Transparency and Integrity
At the virtual launch of the NCC Public Performance Reports, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, called on industry stakeholders to embrace a modern regulatory approach anchored on transparency, integrity, and collaboration.
“Regulation in the 21st century cannot be only about enforcement. It must also be about enlightenment—putting usable facts in the hands of citizens, investors, and operators so the market performs better for all stakeholders,” Dr. Maida stated.
Echoing this, Chip Strange, Chief Strategy Officer at Ookla, emphasized that open access to data fosters accountability and continuous improvement. “When citizens can see and share performance data, it drives accountability and improvement. NCC’s data-driven regulation marks a defining milestone for Nigeria,” he said.
The NCC’s new initiative provides accessible, simplified, and actionable data for both consumers and operators. A public dashboard—complete with coverage maps and key performance metrics—allows subscribers to make informed service choices. One of the featured visual tools, “NCC Nigeria: Better Connectivity for Nigerians,” developed with Ookla, highlights national network coverage and service quality trends.
This initiative reflects the NCC’s broader goal: to build a telecom environment rooted in transparency, integrity, and stakeholder empowerment, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in data-driven regulation.
Telecoms: What’s in the News Today?
Episode 41
Building a New Industry Connectivity on Transparency and Integrity
At the virtual launch of the NCC Public Performance Reports, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, called on industry stakeholders to embrace a modern regulatory approach anchored on transparency, integrity, and collaboration.
“Regulation in the 21st century cannot be only about enforcement. It must also be about enlightenment—putting usable facts in the hands of citizens, investors, and operators so the market performs better for all stakeholders,” Dr. Maida stated.
Echoing this, Chip Strange, Chief Strategy Officer at Ookla, emphasized that open access to data fosters accountability and continuous improvement. “When citizens can see and share performance data, it drives accountability and improvement. NCC’s data-driven regulation marks a defining milestone for Nigeria,” he said.
The NCC’s new initiative provides accessible, simplified, and actionable data for both consumers and operators. A public dashboard—complete with coverage maps and key performance metrics—allows subscribers to make informed service choices. One of the featured visual tools, “NCC Nigeria: Better Connectivity for Nigerians,” developed with Ookla, highlights national network coverage and service quality trends.
This initiative reflects the NCC’s broader goal: to build a telecom environment rooted in transparency, integrity, and stakeholder empowerment, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in data-driven regulation.
President Tinubu Nominates Ugwuegede as South-East Representative on NCC Board
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ikechukwu Ugwuegede as the South-East representative on the NCC Board, ensuring balanced regional representation in line with the Federal Character principle.
Ugwuegede, who previously served as Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) (2011–2015) and contested for a House of Representatives seat in 2019 under the APC, brings extensive governance and policy experience to the board.
The president’s letter to the Senate, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requested a swift review and confirmation of all nominees. Tinubu reaffirmed his confidence that the updated composition would strengthen the NCC’s leadership diversity and strategic oversight capacity.
NCC Unveils Crowdsourcing Report and National Coverage Maps
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a Crowdsourcing Report and National Coverage Maps, developed in partnership with Ookla, to advance data-driven telecom regulation in Nigeria.
The tools aggregate real-time data on network coverage and performance across the country, offering consumers greater visibility into their connectivity options and helping operators identify service gaps.
According to Chip Strange, Ookla’s Chief Strategy Officer, “When citizens can visualize their connectivity options, they become empowered to make informed decisions.”
By institutionalizing crowdsourced data analytics, the NCC reinforces its commitment to transparency, innovation, and consumer empowerment, ensuring that every Nigerian benefits from improved Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE).
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Launch GO AI Hub for Digital Collaboration
In a move to strengthen digital cooperation, Pakistan’s Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, have jointly launched the GO AI Hub—a bilateral platform for artificial intelligence (AI) research, capacity-building, and innovation.
The initiative allows Pakistani professionals and entrepreneurs to collaborate with Saudi companies remotely, promoting digital trade without physical borders. Minister Khawaja described it as “a sustainable digital bridge that enables collaboration and economic growth.”
She also disclosed plans for major data infrastructure investments, positioning the GO AI Hub as the first of many steps towards a multi-billion-dollar digital partnership between both nations.
Nigeria–South Africa Roundtable Underscores Regional Economic Collaboration
At the Nigeria–South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable in Lagos, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola underscored the potential of the two nations to drive Africa’s economic growth through technology and trade integration.
Toriola proposed a three-point agenda: operationalizing the AfCFTA, harmonizing customs and trade regulations, and advancing digital documentation systems to promote cross-border predictability and business confidence.
He affirmed MTN’s commitment to supporting these goals through infrastructure, innovation, and measurable progress tracking.
According to Toriola, “Africa’s economic future depends on collaborative leadership and policy execution that transcends rhetoric.”
The roundtable highlighted the private sector’s strategic role in achieving the AfCFTA’s promise and building a more integrated, digitally connected African economy.
