The Pervasive and Mobile Computing Research Group (PMCRG) at Obafemi Awolowo University’s (OAU) Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) ICT-Driven Knowledge Park has formally requested the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to release a 2022 study on telecommunications competition in Nigeria. This request, made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), highlights the group’s commitment to transparency and innovation within the ICT sector.
The 2022 study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for the NCC, focuses on competition in collocation and infrastructure sharing (CIS) within Nigeria’s telecom industry. Despite its completion, the findings have not yet been made public. Prof. Adeniran Oluwaranti, leader of the PMCRG, emphasized that access to the report is crucial for academic research, policy development, and industry innovation.
Prof. Oluwaranti stressed that the CIS segment is key to fostering competition and growth in Nigeria’s telecom sector. Access to the report would provide stakeholders with a better understanding of market dynamics, challenges, and opportunities, which is essential for improving regulatory frameworks and driving technological advancements such as 5G/6G networks and rural connectivity.
The Africa Centre of Excellence at OAU aims to advance ICT education and innovation across Africa, focusing on addressing technological challenges through high-quality research and industry collaboration. Prof. Oluwaranti underscored the Centre’s vision of becoming a leading hub for ICT research and innovation, contributing to reducing the digital divide and supporting start-ups.
The FOI request, supported by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, seeks to enhance understanding of Nigeria’s telecom market and support ongoing research into telecommunications policy and infrastructure sharing. Prof. Oluwaranti highlighted the importance of academic institutions in shaping the telecom industry’s future through independent research and evidence-based policymaking.
The findings of the study could significantly impact consumers by promoting fair pricing and service quality, and businesses by identifying opportunities for infrastructure sharing and market access. Prof. Oluwaranti remains hopeful that the NCC will comply with the FOI request, believing that transparency is key to fostering a competitive and innovative telecom sector.
