The President of the Civil Society Organization for Good Governance (CSGGG), Comrade Dominic Ogakwu, has called for greater accountability from telecommunications operators over complaints concerning data services and poor service delivery in Nigeria. Ogakwu made the call at the National Civil Society Dialogue on Telecommunications and Data Service Provision in Nigeria, where stakeholders examined challenges affecting telecommunications consumers.
Describing data as “life” in the current digital age, Ogakwu noted that Nigerians increasingly rely on internet services for artificial intelligence, education, business, communication and other essential activities. He expressed concern over complaints from consumers who purchase data plans with stated validity periods but find that their data is exhausted before the specified period, urging the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to explain what measures are being taken to address the concerns and provide appropriate solutions.
Ogakwu also criticised telecommunications providers for failing to attend the dialogue or send representatives to directly listen to and respond to consumers’ complaints. He said their absence made programmes such as the dialogue even more important, as they provide a platform for consumers, civil society organisations and regulators to raise concerns and seek answers on challenges within the telecommunications sector.
He called for telecommunications providers to be held accountable for poor service delivery and urged the NCC to strengthen consumer protection and regulatory oversight. Ogakwu further stressed the need for civil society organisations to sustain advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant institutions, particularly as Nigerians become increasingly dependent on reliable data services for their daily activities and economic participation.
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