Release findings of Nigerian telecom competition study, group tells NCC

The Pervasive and Mobile Computing Research Group (PMCRG), a specialized research arm within Obafemi Awolowo University’s (OAU) Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) ICT-Driven Knowledge Park, has formally requested the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to release findings of a 2022 study on the telecommunications competition landscape in Nigeria.

This request, made under the Freedom  of Information Act (FOI), underscores PMCRG’s commitment to driving transparency and innovation in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving ICT sector.

The NCC engaged the globally renowned consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in  2022 to assess competition in the critical areas of collocation and infrastructure sharing (CIS) within the telecom industry.

However, despite the completion of the study, its findings have not  yet been made public.

• Nobel laureates call for release of Niger’s ousted President Bazoum
• Maiduguri flood: Dantata donates N1.5bn, NEDC N3bn to victims

In response, the PMCRG, led by Prof. Adeniran Oluwaranti, is seeking  access to this report to support academic research, policy formation, and industry-wide innovations.

In an interview, Prof. Oluwaranti explained the importance of the report and how the lack of transparency could slow progress in the telecom industry.

“The CIS segment is crucial to  fostering competition in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. With the report’s findings, stakeholders will have a clearer understanding of the current competitive landscape, the  challenges, and the opportunities for growth. This is vital not only for improving regulatory frameworks but also for driving innovation in areas like 5G/6G networks, cybersecurity, and  rural connectivity,” said Prof. Oluwaranti

He said the Africa Centre of Excellence, headquartered at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is dedicated  to advancing ICT education and innovation across Nigeria and the wider African sub-region.

Prof. Oluwaranti also highlighted the ACE’s broader vision: “Our Centre seeks to be a leading hub for research, training, and innovation in ICT. We collaborate with industry partners and  focus on building capacity, not just within Nigeria but across Africa. By promoting equitable access to ICT and fostering start-ups from research activities, we are bridging the digital divide and driving technological advancements that benefit both urban and rural populations”

The FOI request, which aligns with both the Freedom of Information Act and Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, aims to enhance the understanding of market dynamics in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

“Our postgraduate researchers are particularly keen to analyze the  findings of this study. It will directly contribute to ongoing research projects focusing on telecommunications policy, infrastructure sharing, and market behavior, helping us develop  actionable strategies that align with our mission of fostering cutting-edge research into emerging technologies,”

He said the findings of the 2022 NCC study have the potential to impact both consumers and businesses significantly. “For consumers, the report could shed light on the level of competition  in the telecom market, helping regulators ensure fair pricing and service quality. For businesses,  the study could identify new opportunities for infrastructure sharing and improved market access. “Ultimately, this report could lead to policy decisions that shape the future of Nigeria’s telecom landscape, ensuring that it remains competitive and innovative,” said Prof. Oluwaranti.

While the NCC has not yet responded to the request, Prof. Oluwaranti remains optimistic. “We  are hopeful that the NCC will adhere to the FOI request and release the report. Transparency is key to fostering an innovative and competitive telecommunications sector. We believe that having access to this data will benefit not only the academic community but also the entire country by promoting evidence-based policymaking,” he said.