The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday held a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum as part of its current efforts to ensure telecom consumers and other experts’ inputs are considered in the development of the Application-to-Person (A2P) Messaging Licensing Framework.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, who was represented at the forum by the commission’s Acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services, Barr. (Mrs.) Chizua Whyte, harped on the importance of the forum and highlighted various critical issues surrounding the A2P messaging service.
The EVC while underscoring the commission’s strategic focus on three key stakeholders, namely the government, consumers, and industry licensees, maintained that each of the groups would play a crucial role in the successful implementation of the A2P messaging platform.
He explained that for the government, A2P messaging serves as a vital communication channel, facilitating the effective delivery of public services and essential information to citizens, and that for consumers, it guarantees timely, secure, and reliable access to essential updates and services.
Maida further clarified that for the industry, it creates opportunities for businesses and service providers to innovate, drive competition, and achieve sustainable growth.
He noted that despite its undeniable value, the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria had been facing significant challenges, including consumer protection, fraud prevention, and ensuring industry fairness.
According to him, these gaps have led to issues such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem. Such challenges not only affect businesses and consumers but also pose a threat to the sustainable growth and potential of this crucial communication tool.
The EVC described the Stakeholders’ Forum as hallmarking a pivotal step toward addressing these challenges.
He expatiated: “Today we will be presenting the proposed regulatory framework for A2P messaging to you, our valued stakeholders, for deliberation. This framework represents our commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring that all players in the value chain operate in a fair, transparent, and secure environment.
“At the NCC, we firmly believe that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration. This forum is an opportunity for all of us—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to engage in meaningful discussions. We want to hear from you—your perspectives, experiences, and recommendations—so that together, we can refine this framework to ensure it meets the needs of all of us.
“Our goal is to create a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and unlocks new opportunities for growth. To achieve this, your active participation today is essential. I urge you to engage constructively, provide feedback, and contribute ideas that will help shape the future of A2P messaging in Nigeria”, Maida added.
He assured telecoms stakeholders in the country of the continued commitment of the NCC to providing a regulatory environment that supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and ensures that our telecommunications sector continues to thrive.
During the session, the Commission presented the various feedbacks received as inputs into the A2P Licensing Framework being proposed by it and its responses to each or the observations and recommendations made by the licensees.
In addition, the Licensing and Authorisation Department of NCC provided an in-depth presentation on the intricacies of A2P services, offering valuable insights for editorial consideration in news and feature articles aimed at educating the public.
Industry experts believe that the regulatory initiative promises to bring numerous benefits to Nigerians, the telecom sector, and the broader socio-economic framework of the country, marking a pivotal step in the evolution of telecommunications in Nigeria.
