The role of government in the Nigerian mobile telecommunications industry: a focus on cybercrime and mobile broadband policies
Date
2017
Authors
Obi, Isioma Ruby
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Abstract
The role played by a governing authority is crucial to the long term survival and development of its governed unit, irrespective of the size and function of the said unit. In the event that a government fails to protect the interests of its governed, a state of wide-spread dissatisfaction and palpable frustration becomes inevitable.
Through the application of an Interpretive Research Paradigm, this study assessed the role of the Nigerian government in one of the country’s most promising industries; The Mobile Telecommunications Industry. The study aimed to expose the predominant role of the Nigerian government in this industry with a focus on the relevant issues of Cybercrime and Mobile Broadband. This research enquiry applied the Qualitative Research Approach. As such, the researcher analyzed relevant policy documents on telecommunications and elicited the expert opinions of key industry players. In all, 18 industry representatives were questioned about the happenings in the Mobile Telecommunications Industry. The interview respondents for this research study included representatives of the Ministry of Communications, individuals within the Nigerian Communications Commission, and Mobile Telecommunications service providers/operators. To further validate the information gathered from these individuals, various industry reports were also examined.
After a thorough analysis of the research data gathered from multiple sources, the conclusion drawn by this study was that the Nigerian government has failed to do what is necessary to ensure the long-term growth and development of the country’s Mobile Telecommunications Industry. The study proved that the government has constantly taken a somewhat lackadaisical stance with regard to the implementation of the policies and initiatives governing the industry and has subsequently given no explanations or justifications for its actions, or more appropriately, inactions.
Conclusively, this research study recommended that the governing environment of the Nigerian Mobile Telecommunications Industry be restructured to include a government that not only formulates telecoms development strategies and expansion initiatives, but also executes these plans whilst maintaining an unwavering accountability for its actions and decisions.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Management by Dissertation (MM-D).
October, 2016
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Obi, Isioma Ruby (2017) The role of government in the Nigerian mobile telecommunications industry: a focus on cybercrime and mobile broadband policies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/23470>