The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has pointed out the crucial role of competition in fostering the robust development of the telecommunications sector.
He said this during a meeting with the management delegation of Airtel Networks Limited in Abuja,
During the discussion on Wednesday, Dr. Maida expressed the NCC’s commitment to closely managing competition within the industry. He stated, “We are more inclined to promote competition by creating a level-playing ground for all our licensees.”
The NCC boss highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges posed by competition in the sector.
He acknowledged the impact of rising business costs across various industries and emphasized the importance of adopting a balanced regulatory approach. Dr. Maida cautioned against over-regulation, recognizing its potential to undermine healthy competition in the telecom industry.
Dr. Maida shared that the NCC recently conducted a review of all categories of licenses, both class and individual, to ensure that licensees can operate efficiently within their capital and operating expenditure (COPEX).
In line with the regulatory approach, Dr. Maida stressed the importance of developing win-win strategies and a regulatory framework to ensure the sustainability of the telecom industry. He stated, “It’s critical for the NCC and telcos to develop win-win strategies for the Nigerian telecom industry so that everybody gets value.”
The CEO of Airtel Networks Limited, Carl Cruz, led the delegation and congratulated Dr. Maida on his appointment by the President and confirmation by the Senate. Cruz commended the NCC for its effective competition regulatory policies and frameworks and urged sustained efforts to maintain a healthy competitive environment for telecom licensees.