NCC begins review of Nigeria’s 26-Year telecommunications policy

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigerian Communications Commission has commenced a two-day Stakeholders’ Policy Review Workshop in Lagos to deliberate on the review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000, as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s digital economy for emerging technological realities.

The workshop, holding at the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, brings together industry stakeholders, policymakers, and technology experts to evaluate the gains recorded under the existing telecommunications framework and chart a new course for the sector.

Speaking during the opening session on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the communications sector has evolved beyond a standalone industry into a critical ecosystem driving national development.

According to him, the rapid transformation of technology requires robust and forward-looking policy frameworks capable of addressing emerging innovations and digital challenges.

“Today, the communications sector is no longer an isolated vertical but a foundational ecosystem underpinning economic growth, governance, innovation, and inclusion,” Maida said.

He noted that the revised policy framework must address critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Satellite Broadband, the Internet of Things (IoT), Critical National Information Infrastructure, Digital Sovereignty, Network Resilience, Sustainable Innovation, and Quality of Experience (QoE).

Citing data from the GSMA, the NCC boss disclosed that strategic digitisation across agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and trade could contribute an additional two per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create two million jobs, and generate about N1.6 trillion in tax revenue.

Maida further stressed the need for regulators to urgently expand their focus to emerging concerns including cybersecurity, data governance, digital financing, and online safety.

The workshop also featured technical panel sessions examining the evolution and legacy of the NTP 2000, strategies for bridging the digital divide through collaboration, and approaches to building a resilient digital future that balances innovation, security, and trust.

Other discussions focused on international telecommunications policy models, global best practices, and stakeholder feedback on the Commission’s published policy proposals.

Participants at the workshop noted that the review process is aimed at co-creating “a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital economy for all Nigerians.”