MTN Nigeria will take its Data on Trial initiative to Abuja on Monday, October 26, to address growing consumer concerns over data consumption and billing transparency.
The forum, scheduled for Transcorp Hilton on the sidelines of the Nigerian Economic Summit, will convene policymakers, industry leaders, media professionals, technology experts and consumer advocates to examine public concerns about data services, MTN said in a statement on Thursday.
The telecom operator said the initiative is designed to create a platform for open conversations around data consumption and the relationship between operators and their customers at a time when mobile data has become central to work, communication and participation in the digital economy.
Data on Trial is structured as a courtroom-style public forum in which journalists, influencers and consumer advocates act as the “prosecution”, MTN’s senior executives respond in its “defence”, while an independent assessor weighs the evidence.
According to the company, the Abuja edition follows earlier sessions held in Lagos in June and at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Abia State University in September.
MTN said as dependence on mobile connectivity grows, so does the importance of helping consumers understand their data usage and ensuring that their concerns can be examined through informed engagement.
“Telecommunications operators must pay close attention to customer experiences, communicate clearly about data usage and respond to the concerns subscribers raise about the services they use,” the company said.
It added that the forum encourages stakeholders to examine public concerns regarding data billing from different perspectives, demonstrating how transparency can strengthen confidence in data services.
The company said the Abuja edition represents another opportunity to advance conversations about transparency and customer trust as digital connectivity continues to shape Nigeria’s economic and social environment.
“As the telecommunications industry evolves, constructive engagement between operators, consumers and other stakeholders will remain important to understanding changing expectations and improving the customer experience,” the company said.
