Editorial
By Femi Emmanuel
It is unfortunate and disheartening that many Nigerians are raising concerns over the disappearance of data subscriptions after just seven days of inactivity. Data purchased for personal and professional use is reportedly being wiped out within a short period, a development citizens describe as both frustrating and exploitative—especially at a time when the country is grappling with harsh economic realities.
Subscribers across the nation have expressed growing dissatisfaction with what they term the incessant depletion of unused data on their mobile lines. Many believe this trend reflects unfair practices within the telecommunications sector, and they are calling out regulatory authorities for failing to adequately protect consumer interests and enforce existing regulations governing data usage.
This situation has further fueled public perception that the operational practices within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry are not consumer-friendly. The industry is primarily regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the apex body responsible for licensing, consumer protection, and oversight of telecom services, as well as the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which ensures data privacy, regulates data processing, and enforces data protection laws.
In response, Nigerians are urging these regulatory bodies—particularly the Chairman of the NCC, Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe—to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in service delivery. They cite examples from telecom operators such as MTN and Glo, noting that while unused airtime often remains intact indefinitely, data subscriptions are subject to expiration policies that many consider unjust.
Stakeholders are therefore calling on the telecommunications industry to urgently address this issue. Ensuring transparency and adopting more consumer-friendly policies, they argue, will not only restore public trust but also encourage greater patronage. The continued wiping of unused data after a short period is alarming and, if not promptly addressed, may further deepen public dissatisfaction.
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