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Abstract

Telecommunication service is at the heart of most critical economic and developmental issues faced by the world today. Nigeria is amongst the largest telecommunication service subscribers around the globe. The paper examined the telecommunication sector of Nigeria and the progress made in respect of quality, efficient, affordable and reliable telecommunication services to the consumer. Basically, the purpose of this paper is to consider whether or not the telecommunication sector of Nigeria since its emergence has improved and to what extent. It is argued that the basic right of a consumer is the promotion of quality, fair, accessible and sustainable market with regards to providing products and services to consumers. The paper revealed that the licensing, privatization and liberalization of the Nigerian Telecommunication industry in 1992 ushered in complete competitors, with the industry being controlled by private business companies founded primarily for the goal of revenue. This has also put consumers at risk of extortion and rejection of their legal entitlement to outstanding service. Driven by the desire to provide efficient and affordable services, the Nigerian Communication Commission was created by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 which oversees the telecoms industry. In accordance with its powers, the Commission published the Nigerian Communications Quality of Service Regulations 2013 that, among other things, established a fundamental minimum standard of quality for all operators. The paper further revealed that the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) does not have offices across the States of Nigeria. The paper adopts doctrinal method in its analysis. In the end, the paper concludes with recommendations that in order to achieve an efficient, affordable and reliable telecommunication services, there is need to re-examine both the policy and legal framework on telecommunication sector in Nigeria. Moreso, consumer rights education be made available in different ethnic languages as most consumers, especially at the grass root level, do not even know the existence of laws spelling out their rights and obligations.

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