The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended its consumer outreach programme to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in Nasarawa and Niger states, where officials sensitised corps members on data depletion, digital literacy, and their rights as telecom consumers.
At the Magaji Dan-Yamusa Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, the sessions combined education with lively interaction.
Corps members were engaged in quiz competitions centred on telecom knowledge, with winners receiving gifts such as power banks, airtime, and data subscriptions.
In addition to the sensitisation, the Commission donated essential food items including three 50kg bags of rice and three 25-litre containers of vegetable oil to each camp.
The NYSC State Coordinator in Nasarawa, Hajiya Salamatu Mohammed, and her counterpart in Niger, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, formally received the items on behalf of the corps.
Delivering a keynote speech, the Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, Mrs. Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett, said the exercise was part of the Commission’s wider effort to address consumer complaints, particularly on data usage.
She highlighted the growing importance of digital literacy, pointing to the surge in internet subscriptions from 105 million in August 2018 to 142 million in January 2025.
“Consumer perception of rapid data depletion remains a major concern,” she said, stressing that smartphone features, automatic updates, and streaming services often contribute to unexpected high data consumption.
Bruce-Bennett outlined several measures consumers can adopt to manage data more effectively, including monitoring usage, restricting background activity, turning off automatic updates, and making use of Wi-Fi and data-saving modes.
She also urged corps members to download content for offline use and take advantage of data rollover services offered by some operators.
She called on corps members to see themselves as consumer advocates:
“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 sharing feedback so we can serve you better.”
Her remarks also touched on broader industry reforms, with the NCC promoting transparency initiatives, enforcing fair usage policies, and working with service providers to improve overall quality of experience.
The outreach reflects a dual purpose: to empower consumers with practical knowledge about managing data and to strengthen trust between the Commission and the public.
Corps members left the sessions with both practical tips and a sense of responsibility to extend the message to their communities.
By the close of the event, the NCC’s presence had not only provided practical guidance on managing mobile data but also reinforced its support for young Nigerians serving their nation.
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