Presidency Backs NCC’s Move to Review Telecoms Law, Pushes Digital Economy Reforms

Presidency Backs NCC’s Move to Review Telecoms Law, Pushes Digital Economy Reforms

The Presidency has endorsed the ongoing review of Nigeria’s telecommunications policy and regulatory framework by the Nigerian Communications Commission, describing the exercise as critical to strengthening the country’s digital economy and modernising the telecommunications sector.

Speaking at the National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop organised by the NCC in Lagos, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said Nigeria cannot continue to depend on outdated telecommunications policies if it intends to remain competitive in the global digital economy.

Usman explained that the review of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and the broader telecommunications framework became necessary due to the rapid transformation of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector over the past two decades.

According to her, advances in technology, changing security dynamics, economic expansion, and increasing public expectations have significantly reshaped the role of telecommunications in national development.

She noted that telecommunications now go beyond voice communication and have become central to financial technology, digital commerce, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture, innovation, public services, and national security operations.

“A policy that was fit for purpose in the year 2000 cannot simply be assumed to remain adequate in 2026,” she stated.

Usman warned that obsolete or poorly coordinated policies often create institutional overlaps, discourage investments, weaken implementation processes, and limit measurable national impact.

She stressed that government policies must serve as strategic frameworks capable of guiding regulators, attracting investors, and setting clear expectations for citizens, rather than merely existing as official documents.

The presidential aide further noted that unclear policy directions often result in overlapping mandates, poor allocation of resources, inconsistent implementation, and weak developmental outcomes.

According to her, the revised telecommunications framework must address key issues including broadband expansion, affordability of digital access, consumer protection, quality of service, infrastructure resilience, and inclusion of underserved communities.

She also called for stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, regulators, telecom operators, investors, infrastructure providers, and local authorities to accelerate sectoral growth.

Usman maintained that the review process should not be seen as only a regulatory exercise but as a broader national development initiative closely linked to Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, coordination, and measurable outcomes across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

According to her, the proposed National Public Policy Development and Management Framework would help close existing policy gaps through standardised procedures, implementation planning, periodic evaluations, and evidence-based governance.

Earlier, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, said the telecommunications sector has evolved far beyond the assumptions behind the National Telecommunications Policy introduced in 2000.

Maida explained that the original policy primarily focused on liberalisation, expanding access, promoting competition, and encouraging private sector participation in telecom services.

However, he noted that the sector has now grown into a broad digital ecosystem powering banking, commerce, entertainment, education, cloud computing, digital identity systems, and government operations.

He added that emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity regulations are increasingly shaping the industry.

“This is no longer a narrow telecommunications conversation. It is no longer just one sector within the economy; it is a productivity infrastructure for the entire economy,” Maida said.

According to him, the policy review will help sustain competition, strengthen independent regulation, protect consumers, expand universal access, and encourage innovation and investment across the sector.

Maida also identified major challenges affecting the industry, including fibre cuts, vandalism, high energy costs, multiple taxation, delays in permit approvals, and rural connectivity gaps.

He warned that these issues have become national development concerns because of their impact on the quality, resilience, and accessibility of digital services across the country.

The NCC boss said the workshop was convened to assess the implementation of the current telecommunications policy, identify existing gaps, engage stakeholders on reform proposals, and develop recommendations for a new National Telecommunications Policy 2026.

He added that the commission aims to establish a modern telecom policy framework capable of driving innovation, protecting consumers, improving service quality, strengthening investment opportunities, and advancing Nigeria’s digital economy objectives.

Maida urged stakeholders to approach the review process with openness, innovation, and collective commitment towards positioning Nigeria among Africa’s leading digital economies.