Brands/Products
MTN, Wema Bank, OPay Top Customer Service Index in 2024
By Adedapo Adesanya
MTN, FiberOne, Wema Bank, Opay, Slot emerged best in their respective sub-sectors in 2024, according to a survey ranking on the Nigeria Customer Service Index (NCSI)
The NCSI report is an annual survey that measures customer satisfaction across various sectors in Nigeria, providing insights for organisations to improve their customer service delivery.
According to the report released on Monday, the Nigerian telecoms sector witnessed a significant improvement in customer service, with the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) space scoring 61 per cent and the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) scoring 71 per cent.
It stated that the telecoms sector, which comprises GSM and ISPs, recorded a 63 per cent customer satisfaction rating, representing a 4.6 per cent increase compared to its 2023 rating.
The sector’s growth is attributed to the improved performance of ISPs, which scored 71 per cent, up from the previous year.
In the GSM space, MTN topped the customer satisfaction rating with 66 per cent, followed by Airtel with 64 per cent, Globacom with 62 per cent, and 9mobile with 52 per cent.
In the ISPs category, FiberOne emerged as the top performer with 76 per cent, followed by IPNX with 74 per cent, Starlink with 68 per cent, Spectranet with 66 per cent, and Smile with 65 per cent.
The NCSI report, which assessed customer satisfaction across various sectors in Nigeria, also evaluated the performance of other sectors, including finance, hospitality, and healthcare.
According to its survey, the finance sector recorded a 72 per cent customer satisfaction rating, representing a 6.2 per cent increase compared to 2023.
In the banking sub-sector, the report noted that Wema Bank topped the customer satisfaction rating with 72 per cent, followed by First Bank with 66 per cent, Sterling Bank and Access Bank with 66 per cent, and UBA with 65 per cent.
“In the Fintech sub-sector, Opay emerged as the top performer with 81 per cent, followed by Moniepoint with 78 per cent, Paystack and PalmPay with 77 per cent, and Flutterwave with 73 per cent.
“However, the e-commerce sector recorded a decline in customer satisfaction, scoring 60 per cent, down from 68 per cent in 2023.
“Slot topped the e-commerce sector with 74 per cent, followed by Jumia with 72 per cent, Konga with 68 per cent, and Jiji with 65 per cent,” it stated.
The NCSI report listed other notable performers to be the Transportation sector with 73 per cent, Hospitality sector 72 per cent and Healthcare sector with 70 per cent, Real Estate sector 62 per cent and Power sector with 61 per cent.
It noted that the sectors with the worst performance included the E-commerce sector with 60 per cent, followed by the Power sector 61 per cent, then the Real Estate sector with 62 per cent.
The survey showed that the companies with the worst performance in their respective sectors included 9mobile (GSM) with 52 per cent, Smile (ISPs) with 65 per cent, Jiji (e-commerce) with 65 per cent, and UBA (Banking) with 65 per cent.
According to the NCSI, the report is based on a survey of over 16,000 customers, who rated their experiences with various organisations across different sectors.
The survey, which was conducted online, covered respondents from Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu, representing diverse age, education, and income brackets.
Highlighting the importance of the Nigerian Customer Service Index (NCSI), Mr Olatunji Adeleye, Head of Customer Service at Lafarge Plc, noted that this pioneering benchmark, which debuted in 2023, was designed to elevate customer service standards in Nigeria.
“The Index encourages sectors to introspect and identify areas for improvement.
“As a nation, it is imperative that we recognize the importance of treating all customers with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or profile,” Mr Adeleye added.
He noted that the NCSI report provided valuable insights into the collective performance in customer service, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth and development, thereby informing strategies for enhanced service delivery.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
