NCC CEO Dr. Aminu Maida Emphasizes Importance of A2P Messaging, Addresses Challenges

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), highlighted the crucial role of Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging in today’s digital landscape during the Virtual Stakeholders’ Forum on the Draft A2P Licensing Framework on December 20, 2024. The forum was part of the NCC’s participatory rule-making process aimed at discussing the new A2P licensing framework in Nigeria’s telecom sector. Represented by Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services at NCC, Dr. Maida emphasized that A2P messaging has become an essential tool for businesses, enabling them to send transactional, promotional, and service-related notifications directly to consumers. He cited examples such as bank alerts, healthcare reminders, promotional campaigns, and government updates, all of which enhance communication, drive efficiency, and contribute to socio-economic development. The CEO pointed out that the NCC is focused on three key stakeholders in the A2P messaging ecosystem: the government, consumers, and the telecom industry. He explained that each of these groups plays a critical role in the success of A2P messaging. For the government, it is a powerful tool for delivering public services and information. For consumers, it ensures secure, timely access to essential updates and services, while for the industry, it fosters innovation, competition, and sustainable growth. However, Dr. Maida acknowledged several challenges facing the A2P messaging space in Nigeria, including issues related to consumer protection, fraud prevention, and fairness within the industry. He noted that these challenges have led to problems such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem. These issues not only impact businesses and consumers but also threaten the sustainable growth of A2P messaging. Maida stressed the importance of inclusive and collaborative regulation, stating that the NCC values input from all stakeholders. He encouraged operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers to actively participate in the forum, share their perspectives, and provide feedback to help refine the framework. The NCC remains committed to creating a regulatory environment that supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and promotes fair competition while fostering growth in the A2P messaging sector.