Opening Remarks By The Director, Licensing And Authorization Department, Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr Mohammed Babajika At The Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum

The Governing Board of Commissioners of the NCC
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications
Commission
Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management
Directors and Staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission
CEOs and Representatives of Telecommunication Companies/Service
Providers
Our Esteemed Stakeholders
Gentlemen of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with utmost pleasure that I welcome you to this year’s Talk to the Regulator’s
(TTTR) Forum with the theme “Enhancing Stakeholders’ Satisfaction”. TTTR is an
annual stakeholder’s consultation forum and was conceptualized to achieve the
following objectives:

1. To educate Licensees on their various license obligations.
2. To provide a platform where Licensees can openly discuss challenges
   experienced in the course of operations and together with the Commission
   proffer solutions.
3. To provide a platform where top Management of the Commission can receive
   feedback directly from the industry to aid in decision-making.
4. To educate Licensees on topical regulatory issues and obtain feedback on the
   impact of the Commission’s regulatory policies

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5. To guide in the identification and development of new categories of licences
   (for services not covered by existing licence categories).
6. To assess the impact of emerging trends in the Nigerian telecom space.

The Commission recognizes that technological advancements, in the industry such
as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Network as a Service (NaaS) and Internet
of Things (IoT) are redefining service-delivery and therefore in line with global
trends, it is currently reviewing its license categories. The Commission has also
finalized the framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and is
currently in the process of licensing MVNOs. The licensing of MVNO will improve
the telecommunication output of the country, enable the expansion and availability
of quality mobile coverage and close the gap to the unserved and underserved
population in Nigeria.

While the Commission is fully committed in discharging its mandate, it can only
achieve this with the cooperation and support of Licensees. The Commission
therefore recognizes the importance of various service providers and seeks to
constantly engage with these service providers and thereby protect the health and
growth of the telecoms industry.
The Commission therefore hopes that Licensees will take advantage of this Forum
to seek clarifications with respect to any issues such as: license obligations, renewal
processes and procedures and emerging trends in the industry. I would like to assure
you that the Commission will take your recommendations on-board (as has been
done in the past) and will ensure that ideas gleaned are implemented to impact the
industry positively.
It is therefore my pleasure to once again welcome you all to this event and encourage
us to be frank and constructive in our deliberations as telecoms industry
sustainability can only be guaranteed when all stakeholders fully and actively
participate in the industry.
Thank you.