By Rahmatullah Mahmud
Representing the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services Designate at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), delivered a compelling keynote address at the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day celebration held at the NCC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The event, held on March 15th, gathered stakeholders, telecom service providers, advocacy groups, and esteemed consumers to commemorate the significance of consumer rights protection in the telecommunications sector.
In his address, Oshadami highlighted the paramount importance of consumer protection and explained the historical significance of World Consumer Rights Day, which traces back to President John F. Kennedy’s introduction of four basic consumer rights in 1962. He reiterated the NCC’s commitment to upholding consumer rights, which have evolved over the years to encompass new rights such as privacy, quality of service, timely redress, and fair complaint processes.
Central to this year’s celebration was the theme “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Consumer,” reflecting the growing impact of AI technologies on consumer experiences. Oshadami discussed the transformative potential of AI across various sectors, emphasizing the need for responsible AI deployment to ensure consumer trust and mitigate potential risks. He outlined key principles of responsible AI, including transparency, privacy protection, and mechanisms for accountability, stressing the importance of ethical considerations in AI development and usage.
Furthermore, Oshadami highlighted the NCC’s proactive measures in addressing regulatory challenges associated with AI deployment, including the development of consumer-centric initiatives such as the Consumer Complaints Management system and the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Code to address first-level complaints by telecom consumers. He emphasized the Commission’s unwavering commitment to protecting, informing, and educating consumers, particularly as AI technologies continue to advance. As the global community commemorates World Consumer Rights Day, the NCC reaffirmed its dedication to fostering innovation while safeguarding consumers’ fundamental rights and dignity in the age of AI.
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