NCC restores regulatory services to Globacom after clearing N154 billion debt

In a significant development, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reinstated regulatory services to Globacom Limited after the telecommunications giant successfully cleared its outstanding debt obligations to the commission. The debt comprised unpaid Spectrum Fees, Numbering Fees, and Annual Operating Levy (AOL).

The NCC has also decided to withdraw its planned enforcement action against Globacom, which had arisen from the company’s breach of regulatory requirements related to debt payment. This decision follows numerous demand notices issued to the company.

The Commission had temporarily withdrawn the suspension of regulatory services to Globacom in a letter dated May 22, 2023, titled “Re: Continuous Breach of Commission’s Laws and Regulations.”

The suspension of regulatory services to Globacom was automatically reinstated after it failed to meet the conditions for the earlier withdrawal.

Read also: President Tinubu removes Danbatta as NCC chief, retains Inuwa of NITDA- meet the new heads

What we know about the Globacom, NCC fracas

The story behind the latest decision involves a history of non-payment by Globacom. Notably, Mike Adenuga, the founder and owner of Globacom Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications companies, had previously refused to pay approximately N200 billion in spectrum licence renewal fees, annual operating levies, and numbering plan fees to the Nigerian government.

Sources had revealed a series of alleged compromises and questionable conduct, implicating key figures in the telecommunications industry. Among these allegations were accusations that Mike Adenuga had resorted to bribes and promises of presidential intervention to secure his company’s two-year term while compromising the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, SaharaReporters reports.

In May, a publication exclusively reported on the controversy surrounding the granting of broadcast frequency licences in the 600 MHz spectrum band by the NCC during the twilight of the Buhari administration. The move had raised concerns of favouritism and cronyism, particularly in the allocation of licences to companies associated with individuals close to the political power centres.

However, in a recent development, Mike Adenuga took a significant step to rectify the situation. He has paid N154 billion to the Nigerian government, representing a substantial portion of the spectrum licence renewal fees owed by his company.

This development marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Globacom and the NCC, with regulatory services now restored and the company taking steps to clear its outstanding financial obligations to the government.

Just in case you missed it, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was among the three Chief Executive Officers of three agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy sacked with immediate effect by President Bola Tinubu.