The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will allow any tariff increase by the telecommunication companies without adequate approval. NCC said this in a statement issued by Ikechukwu Adinde, its public affairs lead, on Friday. The commission said contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the Commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be effected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission. “The demand being made by MNOs under the auspices of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), citing high cost of running their operations as the major reason for their proposed tariff hike, is contained in a letter to the Commission,” the statement reads. “Consistent with international best practice and established regulatory procedures, the NCC ensures its regulatory activities are guided by regular cost-based and empirical studies to determine the appropriate cost (upper and floor price) within which service providers are allowed to charge their subscribers for services delivered. “The Commission ensures that any cost determined, as an outcome of such transparent studies is fair enough as to enhance healthy competition among operators, provide wider choices for the subscribers as well as ensure sustainability of the Nigerian telecoms industry. “For the avoidance of any doubt, and contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the Commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be effected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission. “It is noteworthy that tariff regulations and determinations are made by the Commission in line with the provisions of Sections 4, 90 and 92 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which entrusts the Commission with the protection and promotion of the interests of subscribers against unfair practices including but not limited to; matters relating to tariffs and charges. “The current tariff regime being administered by the service providers is a product of NCC’s determination both for voice and SMS in the past. “However, while there could be justifiable reasons for MNOs’ demand for tariff increase, it should be noted that they are not allowed to do such either individually or collectively without recourse to NCC, following the outcome of a cost study. This is not the case for now. “Through NCC’s commitment to engendering healthy competition among the licensees, the cost of services has been democratised and become more and more affordable for Nigerian subscribers. The regulator is even more committed to this cause to ensure subscribers get greater value for money spent on telecom services.” On Wednesday, telcos asked for upward reviews in voice calls, short message services (SMS) and data costs. In a letter addressed to NCC, ALTON suggested an upward review in the price of calls and SMS.

  The United Kingdom (UK) has clarified that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK. The British government described the reports in some sections of the media as “inaccurate reporting”. Several media reports had claimed the United Kingdom barred IPOB, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other Biafran groups from participating in its asylum programme. But a statement by the British High Commission Abuja on Friday said this wasn’t the case. It reads: “We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK. “The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). CPINs provide country of origin information (COl) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. “All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law. “The CPIN on separatist groups in the South East, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets; UK and other governments; local, national and international organisations; and non-government organisations. “This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection. “The document is publicly available on our UK Government website, Gov.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/nigeria-country-policy-and-information-notes”

  The United Kingdom is set to begin issuance of a new visa that allows holders of first degrees, masters, and doctorates to travel to the country and work in fields such as science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship by May 30. The visa – high potential individual visa, allows applicants to relocate to the UK without a prior job offer or sponsorship. Meanwhile, some of the requirements exempted those who graduated from Nigerian universities. The UK government had said that in order to qualify for the HPI visa, applicants needed to have been awarded a degree from an overseas university. The university has to be one of the top global universities as published in the global universities list by the Home Office. The government noted that the list would be compiled annually and would comprise institutions included in the list of the top 50 universities in at least two of the following ranking systems: Times Higher Education World University rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds World University rankings, and the Academic Ranking of the World Universities. Also, the applicants must have been awarded a degree, equivalent to or not less than a UK bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, checks showed that Nigerian universities do not appear in any of these global rankings. The UK had been one of the choice destinations for many Nigerians seeking to relocate abroad for academic and work purposes. According to the UK Minister of Safe and Legal Migration, Kevin Foster, the “High Potential Individual” visa route is targeted at attracting high-skilled foreign university graduates, who will be allowed to work and stay in the UK for two or three years. On the expiration of the visa, the holders could switch to permits under the skilled worker, start-up and innovator, exceptional talent, or scale-up route for continued stay in the UK. “The new High Potential Individual route will make it as simple as possible for internationally mobile individuals who demonstrate high potential to come to the UK. It will enable those who have already demonstrated their potential through academic achievement to come to the UK without a prior job offer. “If you’ve been resident in the UK for more than 12 months, you might not need to meet this requirement. Graduates with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree will be given a two-year visa. Ph.D. or other doctoral-level graduates will get visas valid for three years. This visa can only be granted once and will not be available to those who have already had a Graduate visa,” Foster said.

  The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom government to finally accept Nigeria’s classification of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organisation. “We recall that following widespread killings, destructions and other acts of lawlessness, the Nigerian government had designated IPOB a terrorist group in 2017,” said CNG’s Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman in a statement on Friday. Suleiman also asked authorities both local and foreign to consider moving against the so called Igbo leaders who have been asking President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of the terror group leader Nnamdi Kanu as accomplices. He noted that some foreign countries, including the UK, where IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, holds its passport, did not acknowledge the declaration at the time. “Though the UK withheld action all this while until recently the outlawed group beheaded an army couple, who were on their way to Imo State for their traditional wedding. We welcome its acknowledgement of IPOB as a terrorist organisation and directing that it should be excluded from its asylum programme, very encouraging and reassuring, ” Suleiman said. He recalled that for sometimes now the CNG had sustained concerted campaigns that led to the prescription of IPOB and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government and international authorities have for committing human rights violations in Nigeria.