The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has expressed its determination to create a sustainable and thriving Application-to-Person, A2P, that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and unlocks new opportunities for growth.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the declaration on Friday at the Virtual Stakeholders’ Forum on the Draft A2P Licensing Framework.
Maida’s speech was delivered at the occasion by the Ag. Head, Legal & Regulatory Services of NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte.
During the presentation, the EVC emphasized the importance of A2P messaging, saying it played a vital role in today’s digital world.
“It has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional, or service-related, directly to consumers. From bank alerts and healthcare reminders to promotional campaigns and government updates, A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication, and supports our socio-economic development,” he said.
He stated that the NCC’s strategic focus was centred on three key stakeholders: the government, consumers, and the industry—our licensees.
Each of the stakeholders, he said, played a vital role in the success of the A2P messaging platform.
He explained: “For the government, A2P messaging is a powerful tool for communication with citizens, enabling the efficient delivery of public services and information.
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“For consumers, it guarantees timely, secure, and reliable access to essential updates and services.
“For the industry, it creates opportunities for businesses and service providers to innovate, drive competition, and achieve sustainable growth.”
The NCC boss declared that despite its undeniable value, the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faced significant challenges, including consumer protection, fraud prevention, and ensuring industry fairness.
He said the gaps had led to issues such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem.
He explained that such challenges not only affected businesses and consumers but also posed a threat to the sustainable growth and potential of the crucial communication tool.
“This forum marks a pivotal step toward addressing these challenges. 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,” he said.
He added: “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.”
He reiterated the commitment of the NCC to providing a regulatory environment that “supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and ensures that our telecommunications sector continues to thrive.”
