By Seun Adams
With less than 5 days to end of 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that data usage by Nigerians and others across the country has moved up by 39%.
The percentage increase is coming against its 2023 figures which benchmarked at an average usage of data at 336 gigabytes per second.
While x-raying statistics of its difference indicators in the last quarter of 2024 against the backdrop of concerns and complaints which the Commission received from internet users, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, however acknowledged that this cannot be farther from the truth as according to him this is a clear indication of the data driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead.
While addressing the concern, the EVC used the vista of the consumer awareness campaign in Abuja to underscore the overarching role of NCC which is not to only ensure accessibility but to enhance quality service delivery for consumers.
According to him, internet has become ubiquitous, forming an essential dynamics to driving daily life and therefore the statutory responsibility of NCC to empower consumers through various advocacy windows, awareness campaigns and transparency in a consumer-centric telecommunications sector.
The NCC boss, explained that in the past two decades, the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria has transformed from basic voice services to high-speed data that connects, informs, and powers innovations.
Therefore, he added that with the rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G, the Commission has seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more as lifestyle.
Maida, further explained: “The introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and email.
“The leap to 4G LTE brought faster speeds, enabling video streaming, online gaming, and a myriad of digital activities.
“Now, with 5G promising even faster speeds and lower latency, new frontiers are opening for innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things, driving further demand for data.
“Today, as data consumption grows, fueled by digital advancements, we must address consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency.
“Globally, DataReportal notes there are now over 5 billion internet users, with Nigeria alone accounting for 132 million connections.
“Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives.”
