(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday projects that more than 150 million telecoms users in the country will spend about N3.5 trillion ($11billion) on telecoms services by the end of this year. This spending will include calls, data services and mobile services.

Speaking during the launch of the 2017 Nigerian Telecom Consumer campaign in Abuja, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Umar Danbatta (photo), revealed that last year telecoms consumers spent a whopping $6.6billion on telecoms services against the $5.6 billion in 2015. According to him, with more consumers now on the four major networks in the country (Airtel, Mtn, Glo, and Etisalat), consumer spending should increase this year also.

Commenting on the development, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, said his ministry is working on formulating policies, frameworks and guidelines that will protect ICT consumers in Nigeria. He said the government has engaged major investors in the sector to ensure quality of service and consumer rights.

“Our goal is to fully balance the gap between consumer rights and rights to privacy. The Government is working to create digital awareness with the objective of increasing the capacity, confidence and trust Nigerians have in digital lives. ICTs are vital to the process of governance, business, education, health among others,” he said.

Anita Fatunji