NCC Staff Raise Alarm Over Alleged Victimization, Say Digital Economy Is Dead

Again, Concerned NCC Staff Raise Alarm Over Alleged Victimization, Say Digital Economy Is Dead

Staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), operating under the protest banner “Concerned NCC Staff” (CNCCS), have once again raised the alarm over what they describe as worsening conditions at the commission. They allege continued victimization of hardworking employees by management, ostensibly to protect managerial interests.

Speaking anonymously to select media outlets for fear of further reprisal, the staff claim that the internal crisis at the NCC has deepened, exacerbated by alleged systemic victimization, which is stifling staff morale and disrupting the commission’s day-to-day operations.

Rather than addressing staff grievances, they allege, the commission has resorted to sponsoring favorable media reports to suppress negative publicity.

According to them, “The solution is not in controlling the narrative but in resolving the underlying issues. The current management lacks the capacity to effectively drive the digital economy agenda.”

They argue that for the digital economy to meet the expectations of President Tinubu’s administration, the current management must be replaced and a new board constituted.

One staff member said:

“The primary responsibility of the commission is to regulate the telecom sector to ensure accessible, effective, and affordable services. However, instead of focusing on this mandate, the commission is preoccupied with media relevance. The ground reality tells a different story.”

Another added:

“The unresolved promotion saga remains a sore point. It symbolizes the high-handedness and authoritarianism within the commission.”

Raising concerns about surveillance, a staff member questioned the legality and ethics of current administrative actions:

“How long must we work under a sole administrator who disregards our fundamental rights? The management is violating our rights to freedom of expression and association. Staff are being compelled to install apps that monitor our activities.”

He continued:

“ICT staff have been directed to track which employees have installed TEAM app and software on their phones. This isn’t organizational policy—it’s surveillance. We reject this authoritarianism.”

According to him, many staff have abandoned the Closed User Group (CUG) lines issued by the commission due to excessive monitoring, choosing instead to purchase new, private lines.

“Why is the EVC so keen on monitoring personal communication? If the intentions are noble, why the secrecy? Staff will soon be banned from using flash drives—this is absurd,” another staff member said.

Despite these internal issues, the management is accused of continuing to sponsor media stories to drown out legitimate concerns and public criticism.

One staff member revealed that over 20 employees have been summoned before internal panels over publications, yet none has been found guilty.

“This clearly shows that the intention is to silence voices demanding accountability.”

Another raised concerns over the absence of a governing board at the commission, saying that leadership now operates through an ad hoc committee system, sidelining due process and civil service protocols.

“How can a commission that disrespects governance structures present a code of governance to telecom operators in Lagos? There’s no moral standing here. Departments are being undermined, and the so-called strategic management and vision plans are nothing but paper documents. Committees weren’t designed to implement such strategies.”

He added:

“A balanced scorecard approach should involve the organization, departments, and individual staff—not committees. The current system is therefore illegal and incapable of meeting national expectations.”

According to him, “The digital economy sector is failing, not for lack of effort by the minister, but because of mismanagement within the NCC.”

Another staff member stated:

“The weakest link in the digital economy is the telecom sector. That’s why we, and many stakeholders, are appealing to President Tinubu to dissolve the current management and constitute a proper board. He’s done it before—at the NNPC and the Climate Council.”

He added that action at the NCC is critical, given the telecom industry’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy.

Commenting on the contentious promotion exercise, a staff member said:

“The controversy surrounding it has destroyed trust. There’s now a growing perception that some Diaspora returnees may not be suited for top national roles, especially at sensitive institutions like the NCC.”

Others lamented increasing surveillance and alleged bugging of offices.

“This is an infringement on our right to privacy. It doesn’t happen anywhere else. The persistent violation of staff rights has weakened internal support. When leadership loses the trust of its people, it cannot deliver on government mandates.”

Recall that the commission has since denied any crisis at the organization, saying that its promotion exercise was conducted fairly.

Acting Head of Public Affairs Nnena Kalu said the promotion exams were conducted for all cadres of staff eligible for a promotion in the agency.

She said the exercise was marked by “our commitment to integrity, fairness, and the needs of the industry for competent professionals to drive national objectives.

“In line with the Public Service Rules, the Commission’s organizational structure and manpower plan, each cadre had a defined number of vacancies, representing the number of personnel the Commission could accommodate at each level,” Kalu said in a statement.

“Staff who did not meet the required cut-off, or who passed but for whom vacancies were no longer available at their cadre, could not be promoted,”

she said.