Effect of Legislative Oversight Function on the Performance of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC)

This research work was designed to examine the effect of legislative oversight function on the performance of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC). The major objectives of the study include to examine the effect of legislative oversight function on NCC in promoting the implementation of national communications in Nigeria; to determine the effect of legislative oversight function in ensuring NCC promotes reliable and accessible communication services in Nigeria; to understand how legislative oversight function assists NCC in protecting the rights and interest of service providers and consumers within Nigeria; and to investigate the influence of legislative oversight function in creating an effective, impartial and independent regulatory authority. A survey design method was used for this study. A sample of 221 staff were drawn from Legislative Aides, Staff of NCC and staff of telecommunication companies. Relevant data for this research work was collected from both primary and secondary sources of data. The study adopted principal agent theory as a theoretical framework. Based on these broad objectives, the legislative oversight function on NCC has a positive effect in promoting the implementation of the national communications in Nigeria. Furthermore, it was revealed that the oversight functions of the legislature on NCC has a positive effect on the promotion of reliable and accessible communication services in Nigeria, and also, it was revealed that legislative oversight function has influenced the creation of an effective, impartial and independent regulatory authority. The research therefore concluded and recommended among others that the committee on communication should be careful not to erode the autonomy enjoyed by NCC as this could bring about hitches in service delivery. Secondly, NCC must at all times seek to improve their performance to ensure that national communication systems are reliable and accessible to the people. Finally, the committee on communication should ensure continuous protection of the rights and interest of service providers and consumers within Nigeria.