…As Telecom stakeholders urge stronger NCC independence
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to revise the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, citing its increasing misalignment with today’s technological advancements and the pressing demands of a digital economy.
This declaration was made by the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr Aminu Maida, during a colloquium held in Lagos on Tuesday, themed “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After — Challenges, Opportunities and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria.”
Dr Maida stated that disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, quantum computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain are radically transforming the communications landscape, rendering several provisions of the two-decade-old Act outdated.
“We are in the midst of a technological revolution that demands a regulatory framework capable of keeping pace,” Maida said. “The law as it stands is no longer sufficient for the realities of 2025 and beyond. We must move from reactive legislation to anticipatory regulation.”
He flagged major barriers to digital inclusion, particularly in rural and underserved regions, citing chronic power shortages, exorbitant Right of Way (RoW) fees, and escalating operational costs as major impediments to telecom infrastructure rollout. He also named rising cybersecurity threats and growing capital demands as urgent concerns, noting that the existing legal framework falls short in addressing these challenges.
Despite these hurdles, Maida acknowledged the achievements made under the current Act, particularly its role in liberalising the telecoms market, dismantling monopolies, and laying the groundwork for one of Africa’s most dynamic telecommunications sectors.
He recalled the sector’s exponential growth since the early 2000s, when mobile subscriptions stood below 300,000, noting that this number has now surged to over 150 million, with internet penetration reaching tens of millions. The sector now contributes roughly 14 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, as of the third quarter of 2024.
According to Maida, the current law helped ignite a wave of digital innovation, enabling services such as mobile banking, e-commerce, e-learning, and telemedicine — developments that have transformed everyday life and economic participation for millions of Nigerians.
Still, he stressed that progress must not become a reason for complacency.
“While we recognise how far we’ve come, we must also confront the limitations of the current Act,” he said. “A new version must be forward-looking, innovation-friendly, and inclusive.”
He commended the National Assembly for initiating the dialogue and reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to working closely with legislators, industry stakeholders, and global partners in shaping a more adaptive and future-ready legal framework.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Hon. Peter Akpatason, described the colloquium as both timely and strategic. He said that after 22 years, a thorough review of the Act is essential to reflect the realities of today’s digital age.
Akpatason urged participants to contribute robust ideas for addressing challenges such as the digital divide, the growth of AI, and the integration of cybersecurity into telecoms policy. He called for “deliberate and collaborative” action to ensure a truly inclusive digital economy.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Deputy House Whip, Rep. Isiaka Ayokunle, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, hailed the Communications Committee for championing reforms in the sector.
Abbas underscored the critical role of digital communication in economic development, citing the success of initiatives such as mobile banking and digital marketplaces. However, he cautioned against emerging cybersecurity risks, urging a legislative response that balances innovation with safety.
He pointed to recently enacted laws such as the Cybercrime Act, the Nigerian Data Protection Act, and the Nigerian Startup Act as examples of the House’s commitment to supporting digital enterprise, adding that the insights from the colloquium would guide legislative actions on the proposed amendments to the NCC Act.
The two-day event brings together policymakers, telecom executives, legal experts, and development partners to explore transformative options for modernising Nigeria’s regulatory landscape.
During a panel session, stakeholders in the telecoms industry echoed calls for stronger legal safeguards to shield the sector from overlapping regulations and political interference. They also called for the NCC’s operational independence to be preserved and reinforced.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), raised concerns about regulatory overlap and interference by sub-national authorities. He cited a recent incident in Kogi State where local agencies disrupted operations.
“We need legal clarity that protects us from arbitrary local interventions,” Adebayo said. “State interference is a direct threat to service continuity.”
He also defended the NCC’s autonomy in determining pricing and licensing structures. “Our industry’s achievements are tied to the regulator’s independence. Undermining that would be a mistake.”
Ms Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, agreed that the existing Act had served well but was overdue for an update. She proposed new legal chapters addressing over-the-top (OTT) services, interconnection standards, and protection of national infrastructure.
Whyte also recommended the introduction of smart licensing models and mandatory responsibilities for telecom operators to ensure greater accountability.
Damian Udeh, Associate Director at IHS, flagged service quality as a persistent concern, despite compliance efforts by operators. He pointed to power instability and infrastructure bottlenecks as key challenges.
“We need more regulatory empathy. The industry is doing its best within difficult operating conditions,” he said.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer at MTN, advocated for a relaxed licensing regime to stimulate innovation among young entrepreneurs and startups. He proposed a regulatory sandbox to allow them to test and scale solutions using real-time data.
“We need a dynamic environment where innovation can thrive,” Okigbo said.
He also backed calls for regulatory independence, drawing parallels with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“Our regulators must be empowered to make data-driven decisions free from political influence,” he added. “Only then can we guarantee sound, future-proof governance for Nigeria’s telecoms sector.”
Okigbo concluded by suggesting a merger between the NCC and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to reduce bureaucratic overlap and improve institutional efficiency.