By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said it would ensure compliance with the new telecommunications tariff adjustment.

Earlier this week, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) allowed for a 50 per cent hike in tariffs for the first time since 2013.

Although stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with the level, the law establishing the policy will have to be followed.

While the telcos have silently expressed that the 50 per cent level was too low for the sustainability of the industry; consumers want a lower threshold with an association protecting customers saying it will approach the courts.

Speaking on how it will ensure compliance, the Director of Corporate Affairs of FCCPC, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, said the commission was working with the NCC to ensure consumers are not infringed upon during the transition period and beyond.

He urged telecom operators to prioritise visible and measurable improvements in network reliability, speed, accessibility, and customer service as part of any tariff adjustment, saying that consumers’ interest is paramount.

According to him, it is crucial that tariff adjustments directly translate into demonstrable and tangible service enhancements for consumers, commending the NCC for adopting a deliberate and measured approach by rationalising the tariff adjustment and linking it to commensurate improvements in service quality.

”Operators are now required to disclose all key details upfront, including the cost, validity period, and the specific inclusions of a plan.

“Consumers can also expect a mandatory disclosure table from their service providers, enabling them to make informed decisions without worrying about unexpected charges or surprises,” he said.

Mr Ijagwu said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the FCCPC and NCC would provide a unified framework to oversee the implementation of the tariff adjustment in a manner that met the needs of consumers, encouraging consumers to report any unfair practices or concerns through the agency’s official channels to ensure effective resolution.

By Emmanuel Udom

The 81-kilometre Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway seems to be taking shape both for good and bad, as the Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, works tirelessly to fix major roads and expressways in Nigeria.

Checks by Business Post in the last week revealed that from the Lagos end of the expressway, motorists and commenters seem to be having a smooth ride and rough from the Ogun State end, especially after the Toll Gate area, as pointed out by a commercial bus driver plying the Lagos-Abeokuta route, Mr Segun Abayomi.

He lamented on Thursday that from Toll Gate inward Ogun State, most of the terrible and dilapidated points and bus stops have been neglected by the government, though repairs are ongoing, according to our correspondent, who plied the road from Ewekoro in Ogun State to Iceman in Lagos State today.

It was observed that caterpillars and bulldozers, as at the time of filling this report, were busy fixing the roads at major bus stops and points from Toll Gate inward Ogun State, precisely around Joju, Corn-oil area, Omiyale, Pakoto, Vulcanizer, Bungalow, and U-Turn near Mountain of Fire Church in Ifo, Ogun State.

A female trader, returning from Oshiodi, lamented while boarding a commercial bus, of the health hazard caused by the dust raised by the workers in tiling the roads. She said the dust was affecting commuters, motorists and others.

This was confirmed by this newspaper, though efforts are being made to water the ground around Omiyale, near The Apostolic Church Convention ground and parts of Aiyede, to address this issue.

Recall that some weeks ago, Business Post that the government was doing a quick fix on the road to ease the hardship citizens playing the expressway go through daily.

The road connects Lagos to the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta, and is one of the busiest inter-state and intra-city routes in Nigeria, covering more than 250,000 PCUs daily and constitutes one of the largest road networks in Africa, according to Wikipedia.

In 2017, the Lagos State government announced plans to put a BRT lane on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in two phases, with the first from Oshodi to Abule Egba, and the second from Abule Egba to Toll Gate, the boundary area between Lagos and Ogun States.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

From January 28 to 30, 2025, some creative professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, and thought influencers will be in Osun State to explore how the state can harness its cultural and artistic assets to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These critical stakeholders will gather at the SDG Skill Acquisition Centre in Iragbiji, Osun State for this event, supported by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

A statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr Bamikole Omishore, disclosed that the programme seeks to position Osun State as a leading force in the creative economy.

According to him, particular focus will be placed on three SDGs: Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; and Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Mr Omishore the theme of the event Innovate, Create, and Transform: Unlocking the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development was chosen to highlight the vital role creativity plays in driving economic growth, noting that the conference reflects the administration’s commitment to using creativity as a catalyst for economic development.

He said the gathering would feature a variety of interactive sessions, exhibitions, and cultural displays designed to inspire and empower participants.

Key themes will include unlocking creativity for global opportunities, exploring investment opportunities in Osun’s digital and creative sectors, and shaping narratives for change and influence, alongside a cultural and Adire exhibition, he stated.

“This event, with over 700 registered participants, is in line with Governor Adeleke’s agenda to stimulate economic growth by harnessing creativity and innovation.

“Through collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Culture and Tourism, Agency on Creativity, Entertainment and Arts, stakeholders, private sector leaders, and development partners, who have worked relentlessly to bring this groundbreaking conference to life,” Mr Omishore explained.

Also commenting on the forthcoming programme, the Chairman of the Osun State House of Assembly Committees on ICT and SDG, Mr Adewumi Adeyemi, said, “The Osun State SDG Creatives Conference 2025 highlights the essential role of creativity and culture in achieving sustainable development.

“By fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation, this conference will help to build a more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant creative economy. We also hope this event will provide a sustainable framework to push Osun’s creative sector forward.”

On his part, the Special Adviser on Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Azeez Badmus, said, “Through the Osun SDG Creatives Conference, innovators and creators will drive Osun’s digital future, inspiring the youth to uncover their talents, share their unique stories, and shape their futures through the power of technology.”