I am updating that our planned orchestration of camels to move humans across Nigeria has been suspended. Yes, the airlines are not going to “strike” with shutdowns because the government has come along.  Of course, no sensible Nigerian would have believed those airlines when they threatened to withdraw their services.

Just like covid-19 which affects the rich and the poor, when matters in Nigeria affect the big men, solutions are found in hours. Without flights, how do you expect big men to move around in Nigeria? You think our ministers will join buses or use those dangerous roads infested with bandits?

Every problem in Nigeria has a solution. The reason we do not see solutions is because of interests. If you can link your agitations to affect the big men, you will get an immediate result.

As a student in Johns Hopkins University, I walked past a president of Nigeria in Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was possibly there for one medical check or whatever, and certainly avoided visiting Isuikwuato General Hospital, Abia State, which used to serve thousands of people in that area until they destroyed it. But with an option to visit American hospitals, he could ignore the local healthcare systems.

People, the flights are back; you only have to deal with the usual delays and cancellations. But at least, you have a real reason to spend the hours at the airports.

Comment on LinkedIn

Comment 1:Thank you Prof. I know that solutions will pop up immediately. Then I quickly took stock of those big men with their own jets, it was not difficult to know that a way around the airliners challenge will be addressed. But, what should we say to Ibom Air? Are they insulated from the challenges? Is there something they are doing that is not visible to other operators?

My Response: Ibom Air is government! It has no useful balance sheet. Typically, in Nigeria, when they finish the initial capital injection, they fold. So, do not look at what Ibom Air is doing. This is not to say that it would not be successful. I do not believe that any Nigerian state can run an airline. More so, how many routes does it cover? The biggest bird there is Air Peace. You can add Air Contractors and Arik.

  Another Comment on same: Ndubuisi Ekekwe I agree with Government managed airlines most times have average and even negative P & L , however i believe IBOM air can change the narrative if they are painstaking bent on improving quality of service and keen about being professional with their airline management and financials

The Nigerian Communication (NCC) has responded to the viral letter written by telecom operators seeking approval to increase calls, data and SMS tariffs.

The telcos, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), had in a letter addressed to the Commission earlier in the week, asked to be allowed to hike the cost of these services, citing high cost of running their operation.

But in a statement dated May 6, signed by the NCC’s director, public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission said there will be no tariff hike without recourse to empirical studies, allaying the fears of subscribers.

The NCC assured subscribers that no tariff increase will be effected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission, in line with the provisions of Sections 4, 90 and 92 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

Read the full statement below:

The Nigerian Communication Commission has monitored with keen interest the deluge of reports in the media on the demand by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) ostensibly to increase tariffs of telecom services and has taken notes of the fears being expressed by telecom subscribers on the agitation.

The demand being made by MNOs under the auspices of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), citing high cost of running their operations as the major reason for their proposed tariff hike, is contained in a letter to the Commission.

Consistent with international best practice and established regulatory procedures, the NCC ensures its regulatory activities are guided by regular cost-based and empirical studies to determine appropriate cost (upper and floor price) within which service providers are allowed to charge their subscribers for services delivered.

The Commission ensures that any cost determined, as an outcome of such transparent studies is fair enough as to enhance healthy competition among operators, provide wider choices for the subscribers as well as ensure sustainability of the Nigerian telecoms industry.

For the avoidance of any doubt, and contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the Commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be affected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission.

It is noteworthy that tariff regulations and determinations are made by the Commission in line with the provisions of Sections 4, 90 and 92 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which entrusts the Commission with the protection and promotion of the interests of subscribers against unfair practices including but not limited to; matters relating to tariffs and charges.

The current tariff regime being administered by the service providers is a product of NCC’s determination both for voice and SMS in the past.

However, while there could be justifiable reasons for MNOs’ demand for tariff increase, it should be noted that they are not allowed to do such either individually or collectively without recourse to NCC, following the outcome of a cost study. This is not the case for now.

Through NCC’s commitment to engendering healthy competition among the licensees, the cost of services has been democratized and become more and more affordable for Nigerian subscribers. The regulator is even more committed to this cause to ensure subscribers get greater value for money spent on telecom services.