PANIC: Airtel’s Mobile Operating Licence At Risk , As NCC Dismisses Renewal Statement

There are indication that the operating licence of  Airtel Nigeria may likely not be renewed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) .

The Commission in a press release signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde Director, Public Affairs on Sunday, July 18, 2021 discredited the statement from the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya, saying the  mobile operating licence of Airtel has been renewed by NCC for another period of 10 years.

According to the statement,Mr. Ogunsanya was quoted saying to have made the statement while speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, July 14, 202, during the media launch of Airtel’s corporate social responsibility programme, ‘Touching Lives 6’.

NCC however maintained that  Airtel Nigeria has applied for the renewal of the Unified Access Service (UASL) Licence granted to it by the Commission, but  yet to be approved as it is still undergoing required regulatory process.

The statement reads in full:

“The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to a recent statement on an online publication credited to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya, to the effect that the mobile operating licence of Airtel has been renewed by the Commission for another period of 10 years.

“Mr. Ogunsanya was said to have made the statement while speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, July 14, 202, during the media launch of Airtel’s corporate social responsibility programme, ‘Touching Lives 6’.

“The Commission wishes to state that while Airtel Nigeria has applied for the renewal of the Unified Access Service (UASL) Licence granted to it by the Commission, the application is yet to be approved as it is still undergoing required regulatory process.

“This statement is issued for the guidance of our stakeholders.”