By Chinenye Anuforo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has taken its consumer protection campaign directly to young Nigerians, sensitising National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on smart data usage, consumer rights, and their role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
Officials of the Commission, led by its Consumer Affairs Bureau, were at the Magaji Dan-Yamusa Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, where they engaged corps members in an interactive session themed “Consumer sensitisation on data depletion: The role of National Youth Service Corps members.”
In her keynote remarks delivered by NCC officials at both camps, the Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett, described corps members as dynamic, educated, and patriotic young Nigerians who have a key role to play as consumer champions in their communities.
She acknowledged rising complaints about data depletion and billing transparency, noting that the number of internet subscriptions in Nigeria has grown sharply from 105 million in 2018 to 142 million in January 2025, largely driven by social media and increased access to digital platforms.
“Data fuels everything from communication to education, business to social interaction. Protecting consumers from exploitative practices and ensuring digital literacy is not just important; it is essential,” Bruce-Bennett said.
The sensitisation highlighted common causes of excessive data consumption, such as video streaming, automatic app updates, hotspot sharing, roaming charges, and location services. Corps members were also educated on practical ways to manage data, including monitoring usage, turning on data-saving modes, disabling automatic updates, and connecting to Wi-Fi where possible.
The NCC urged corps members to see themselves not just as consumers but as advocates for consumer rights.
“As educated, mobile, and socially connected Nigerians, you are key agents of change. We urge you to spread awareness of consumer rights, educate others about NCC initiatives, and engage with us by reporting challenges and sharing feedback,” Bruce-Bennett told them.
The Commission emphasised that corps members’ voices and experiences would continue to shape policy and improve the quality of telecom services across the country.
The sensitisation programme also included interactive quiz competitions that tested the corps members’ knowledge of telecom issues. Winners went home with gift items, including power banks, airtime, and data subscriptions.
Beyond the education sessions, the NCC extended support to the NYSC camps by donating three 50kg bags of rice and three 25-litre gallons of vegetable oil to each of the camps in Nasarawa and Niger states. The items were received by the NYSC State Coordinator in Nasarawa, Hajiya Salamatu Mohammed, and her Niger State counterpart, Mrs Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, who both expressed appreciation for the Commission’s support.
Mrs Bruce-Bennett reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to a telecom sector that is fair, competitive, and consumer-friendly, urging corps members to fill out sensitisation questionnaires and use the Commission’s complaint platforms whenever they encounter service issues.
“Your voices matter. Your experiences shape policy. Your participation drives progress,” she said.
The event highlighted the NCC’s wider consumer protection strategy, which includes enforcement of fair usage policies, engagement with service providers, and ongoing education campaigns to improve the overall quality of experience for telecom users nationwide.