The Nigerian Communication Commission has restored regulatory services to Globacom Limited after the telecom company successfully cleared its outstanding debt to the Commission.
This comes after the company settled its unpaid spectrum fees, numbering fees, and Annual Operating Levy.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka on Thursday, the NCC explained that they had withdrawn regulatory services from Globacom temporarily due to non-payment, and they had issued several demand notices.
The NCC further noted that planned enforcement actions against Globacom have been halted.
The restoration of these services was a significant development after the NCC had initially suspended them due to persistent breaches of the Commission’s laws and regulations.
While the NCC did not disclose the exact amount owed and paid by Globacom, an earlier report suggested that the telecom company owed the Nigerian government, and consequently the regulator, nearly N200 billion.
The report indicated that Mike Adenuga, the founder of Globacom, had paid N154 billion as part of the spectrum license renewal fees.
This development followed the recent changes in the leadership of agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, which saw the exit of the former Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta.
The new CEO of the Commission, Aminu Maida, inherits several ongoing projects, including the implementation of the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025), which has faced challenges as broadband penetration declined in recent months.
With a target of achieving 70% broadband penetration by 2025 while currently at 45.57%, Aminu Maida faces the task of meeting this goal and addressing other telecommunications issues, including improving service quality and stimulating investments in the sector.
