By The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has renewed its partnership with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to combat illegal lottery and gaming activities on telecommunications platforms. The updated agreement was signed in Abuja, with a focus on sharing information and intelligence to deter unapproved practices in the industry.
NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Danbatta, said the renewed partnership supports the Commission’s 2021-2025 Strategic Vision Plan, aiming to enhance service delivery and promote fairness in the gaming sector. He pointed out that the previous MoU, which expired in 2022, was revised to keep up with changes in the fast-evolving industry.
The Director General of NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, expressed confidence that the renewed MoU would help curb illegal online gambling, which undermines the credibility of both local and global gaming markets. He added that unapproved lottery activities harm consumer trust, which is why the collaboration with the NCC is crucial.
Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at NCC, explained that the new MoU focuses on improving information-sharing, consumer satisfaction, and co-regulation, in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy goals.
The renewed agreement will enable NCC to block or disable illegal lottery and gaming operators from telecommunications platforms in Nigeria. A Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), made up of representatives from both agencies, will oversee the execution of the MoU and ensure effective collaboration moving forward.
