The Federal Government has approved the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) move to review the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s telecommunications policy and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, disclosed this on Wednesday at the NCC-organised National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop in Lagos.
Usman said the approval reflects the government’s recognition that Nigeria cannot sustain a competitive digital economy using outdated regulatory frameworks that no longer reflect current technological realities.
She explained that the telecommunications sector has evolved significantly over the past two decades, extending beyond voice services to power financial technology, digital commerce, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, innovation, public administration, and national security systems.
According to her, a policy designed in the early 2000s can no longer adequately address the complexities of today’s ICT-driven economy.
“A policy that was fit for purpose in the year 2000 cannot simply be assumed to remain adequate in 2026,” she said.
Usman warned that fragmented or poorly coordinated policies often weaken implementation, create institutional overlaps, discourage investment, and reduce measurable economic impact.
She stressed that policy frameworks must go beyond documentation to become practical tools that guide regulators, build investor confidence, and clearly define expectations for citizens.
The presidential aide noted that unclear policy direction often leads to inconsistent implementation, inefficient resource allocation, and weak institutional performance.
She urged that the ongoing review should prioritise broadband expansion, affordability of digital access, improved service quality, consumer protection, infrastructure resilience, and inclusion of underserved communities.
Usman also called for stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities, alongside private sector operators, regulators, and infrastructure providers, to drive sector-wide growth.
She cautioned against treating the reform process as a routine regulatory exercise, describing it instead as a strategic national development priority tied to broader economic transformation goals.
She further referenced the proposed National Public Policy Development and Management Framework, noting that it would introduce standardised processes for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation across government institutions.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the telecommunications sector had outgrown the assumptions of the National Telecommunications Policy of 2000.
He explained that the original policy was designed for liberalisation and expanded access at a time when Nigeria’s telecom industry was still in its early stages.
According to him, the sector has since transformed into a complex digital ecosystem supporting banking, e-commerce, education, entertainment, cloud services, digital identity systems, and government operations.
Maida added that the industry is now shaped by emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, Internet of Things, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity systems.
He described telecommunications infrastructure as central to national productivity rather than a standalone sector.
“This is no longer a narrow telecommunications conversation. It is a productivity infrastructure for the entire economy,” he said.
The NCC boss noted that the review process is aimed at preserving competition, ensuring universal access, strengthening consumer protection, and encouraging innovation and investment.
He also highlighted structural challenges affecting the sector, including fibre cuts, vandalism, high energy costs, multiple taxation, permitting delays, and rural connectivity gaps.
Maida said these challenges have become national development issues due to their impact on service quality and digital inclusion.
He explained that the workshop is expected to produce recommendations that will guide the development of a new National Telecommunications Policy for 2026.
He urged stakeholders to participate constructively, stressing the need for innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.
