MTN Nigeria has unveiled plans to engage consumers and other stakeholders on data consumption, billing transparency and customer trust at a public forum scheduled for Abuja on October 26.

The event, tagged Data on Trial, will hold at the Transcorp Hilton on the sidelines of the Nigerian Economic Summit, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, media professionals, technology experts and consumer advocates to examine concerns surrounding mobile data services.

The forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss consumers’ experiences with data services and promote transparency and constructive engagement between telecommunications operators and subscribers.

Data on Trial is designed as a courtroom-style public forum where journalists, influencers and consumer advocates serve as the prosecution, while MTN’s senior executives defend the company’s position, with an independent assessor weighing the evidence.

The Abuja edition follows previous sessions held in Lagos in June and at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Abia State University in September.

The initiative is part of MTN Nigeria’s efforts to encourage open discussions on data consumption and the relationship between telecommunications operators and their customers.

As mobile connectivity becomes increasingly important for work, communication, access to information and participation in the digital economy, the company said the forum would provide an opportunity to examine public concerns about data usage and billing from different perspectives.

It added that clear communication about data consumption and attention to subscribers’ concerns were important to strengthening confidence in telecommunications services.

The Abuja session is expected to advance discussions on transparency and customer trust as digital connectivity continues to shape Nigeria’s economic and social activities.