Use this special code on your phones to stop unwanted messages - NCC tells Nigerians

- The NCC has provided Nigerians with a way to avoid unsolicited messages

- The short code provided was 2442 and could be used by all users

- The NCC urged all telecom operators to ensure compliance

The Nigerian Communication Commission, (NCC) has good news for all Nigerians. For those who detest receiving unsolicited messages, they have a permanent solution.

Known as the ‘Do not Disturb’ policy, the NCC urged all Nigerians to send the 2442 short code in order to determine the type of messages they want to receive from telecoms operators.

Speaking on Thursday, December 8, in Abuja the executive vice chairman of the NCC, Umar Danbatta, gave this advice, during the 79th telecom consumers parliament help in Abuja.

Danbatta said that the parliament, with its theme: Implementation of the `Do not Disturb’ (DND): the journey so far,’ was aimed at sensitizing the public to the policy.

He also explained that this was necessary following the huge amount of complaints the NCC has on the pains of unsolicited messages been received.

This was why the moved into action and made the activation of 2442 short code a success.

He said: “The code will enable consumers to control the type of messages they receive.

“I am glad that it has come into effect and I urge all consumers to take advantage of this new regime by sending “stop to 2442’’ to avoid unsolicited messages.”

The vice chairman also spoke on the need for enlightenment by both regulator and the operating companies for the public.

“It is on this regard that the theme of today’s parliament becomes relevant.

“The objective is to place the issue on the front burner of our discourse until unsolicited messages become a thing of the past,” he said.

Another speaker, Ayoola Oke also urged the telecom companies to comply with the 2442 short code.

Mr Oke reiterated that the major challenge of the policy was lack of awareness, hence the need for both the regulators and the telecom operators to be involved in massive publicity.

He called for effective complaint management by the operators and network management to block spam and screen out malicious mails.

Meanwhile, Nigerians are not happy with the recent directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to the five big telecoms operators in the country to increase their data tariffs.

Although according to the NCC the directive was put in place to allow small operators and new entrants acquire market share and operate profitably, an official of the commission disclosed.