By   Milcah    Tanimu

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cleared Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) of blame for data depletion and billing issues, attributing these concerns instead to the impact of advanced technology and high-resolution devices on data usage. Speaking at the Telecoms Consumer Parliament in Abuja, Dr. Aminu Wada Maida, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, explained that an audit confirmed no wrongdoing by telecom operators regarding billing practices.

Dr. Maida noted that Nigeria’s daily data usage surged by 39% in 2024, driven by increased social media activity and high-definition streaming. He explained that advanced devices now consume significantly more data, with an hour on social media or streaming requiring up to 5GB. To promote transparency, NCC plans to publish detailed tariff tables and coverage maps to help consumers make informed decisions.

The NCC also assured subscribers that ongoing campaigns on fair billing and data use will continue, addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s telecom sector. Additionally, the Commission is collaborating with stakeholders to address rising operational costs and infrastructure security issues.