The Nigerian Communications
Commission (NCC) has said that Nigerians will soon start to pay for goods and
services directly using mobile phone airtime.
This was disclosed yesterday by
the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, when he
met with Queen Maxima of Netherlands in Abuja.
According to him, the NCC is
committed to the actualization of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy as
set out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); as such, has signed a memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with the apex bank to address the modalities that will
enable GSM operators in the country become Mobile Money Operators (MMOs).
He added that when the modalities
are fully addressed, the NCC will issue letters of no objections mobile
operators who have been licensed by the CBN to handle direct cash transactions
in order to enable them begin operations as MMOs.
According to him, only then can
Nigerians fully start using mobile payment or airtime payment as a direct
alternative payment method for goods and services.
He said: “The NCC is very much
committed to the actualization of the National Financial Inclusion Startegy as
set out by the Financial Inclusion Secretariat of the CBN.
“Just recently, the final draft
of the MoU between the CBN and NCC was signed.
“And, the CBN/NCC Joint Technical
Committee on Mobile Money is addressing the modalities of Mobile Network
Operators registering special platforms to enable them become mobile money
operators.
“Based on this arrangement, the
NCC will issue a letter of no objection to MNOs who have been licensed by the
CBN as Mobile Money Operators.
“Instead of paying with cash,
cheque, or credit cards, a consumer can use his mobile phone to pay for a wide
range of services and hard goods. It also encompasses any payment where the
mobile phone is involved in the initiation and/or confirmation of the payment.”
On her part, Queen Maxima
described Nigeria as a country of enormous potential where financial inclusion
should play a great role for the country’s development.
She, however, called for synergy
between the key players in the financial and communications sector to ensure
the people not only gain easy access to finance when needed but are also
protected from fraudsters.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayAdvertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com