NCC Educates NYSC Members On Effective Mobile Data Managemen

As part of its consumer educate, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has organised a sensitisation programme for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to educate them on effective mobile data management and their rights as telecom subscribers.

The sensitisation programme took place recently at the Magaji Dan-Yamusa Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State.

The sensitisation programme is part of the NCC’s strategic consumer outreach.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the NCC donated three 50kg bags of rice and three 25-litre kegs of vegetable oil each to the two NYSC camps.

The Nasarawa State NYSC Coordinator, Hajiya Salamatu Mohammed, and the Niger State Coordinator, Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, received the items on behalf of the corps members.

Speaking at the programme, the NCC’s Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett, emphasized the need to protect consumers and improving digital literacy in today’s fast-evolving telecom landscape.

The theme of the event was “Consumer Sensitization on Data Depletion: The Role of National Youth Service Corps Members.”

Bruce-Bennett said “the theme of this sensitization is quite germane following increasing number of complaints received on data issues. The issue of data depletion continues to resonate and draws concerns amongst consumers in view of some developments in the Nigeria communication industry.”

She noted that internet subscriptions in Nigeria have surged from 105 million in August 2018 to 142 million in January 2025, driven by the growth of social media, online platforms, and wider access to digital services.

“Additionally, rapid advancements in technology have led to new features on smartphones that many consumers may not fully understand. This knowledge gap often results in unintentionally high data consumption, which can frustrate users and erode trust.

“Consumer perception of rapid data depletion remains a major pain point and continues to affect Quality of Experience (QoE) as well as overall consumer satisfaction in the telecoms industry,” she added.

She highlighted the key factors that can lead to excessive data usage to include streaming activities, social media, app updates, location services, hotspot usage, roaming, and browsing Habits.

To control data usage, Bruce-Bennett advised NYSC members to monitor data usage regularly, use Wi-Fi whenever possible, turn off automatic updates, restrict background data, download media and content while on Wi-Fi for offline use, store frequently accessed data locally (offline) to reduce the need for repeated downloads, turn off GPS and location services for specific apps or altogether, and turn on the data-saving mode on their phone to reduce consumption.

The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to creating a telecom environment that is fair, competitive, inclusive, and consumer-friendly.

The Commission encouraged corps members to serve as “Consumer Champions” by spreading awareness of consumer rights and protections to friends, family, and local communities; educating others about the NCC’s initiatives and how to enjoy better quality of experience as well as report challenges, share feedback, and help the Commission to serve them better.

The Commission also engaged the corps members in quiz competitions on the two camps, with winners of the quiz carting away gift items such as Powerbanks, airtime and data subscriptions.