The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has reiterated the need to amend the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 in view of the emerging developments in the domestic and global telecommunications space.
The industry regulator made this remark at the opening session of a two-day “Colloquium on a Legislative Agenda: The Nigerian Communications Act 2003”, held in Lagos.
The EVC pointed out that the global telecommunications industry was now going through a seismic shift, driven by disruptive technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Internet of Things, Blockchain, among others, hence the amendment of the NCC’s Act, which was enacted 22 years ago, has become imperative.
Maida explained: “Mobile subscriptions have grown from less than 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million today, internet penetration has surged, connecting millions to the digital economy, while the telecommunications sector contribution to the Nigeria, to Nigeria’s GDP, has risen to approximately 14% as of the third quarter of 2024.
“But, beyond statistics, the ACT has enabled transformative innovations in various sectors through mobile banking, e-commerce, Digital Communications, e-learning, all that have redefined how Nigerians live, work and interact.
“These milestones are a testament to the vision of the parliament in enacting the Act, the resilience of the industry players and the trust of Nigerian consumers.
“They reflect the power of collaboration between the legislator, regulator, operators and stakeholders in building a sector that has become a global model for telecommunications liberalization in emerging markets”.
“The global telecommunications industry is currently undergoing a seismic shift, driven by disruptive technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Internet of Things, Blockchain and I can go on all day.
“These advancements promise unprecedented opportunities, but also pose complex challenges in Nigeria. While urban centers enjoy robust connectivity, rural and underserved communities still grapple with limited access, highlighting the persistent Digital Divide infrastructure deficits, including inadequate power supply and the high cost of right of way approvals, to mention a few, hinder the expansion of our digital infrastructure”, he added.
The EVC further maintained that cyber security threats were becoming worrisome as users’ reliance on digital platforms grows, with Nigeria recording a significant surge in cyber-attacks targeting critical sectors.
This is even as he noted that with the economics of the telecom industry now on the street, operators were contending with rising operational costs, exaggerated by inflation, currency volatility and the need for substantial capital investments to deploy next generation technologies to keep up with the needs of our ever evolving digital lives.
Similarly, Maida said that while demand for telecom services were becoming faster, cheaper and more reliable, the consumers often face affordability constraints, particularly in low income communities.
According to the industry regulator, these challenges underscore critical truth and while the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 was a visionary for its time, “the realities of 2025 required us to re-examine its provisions to ensure the main fit for purpose.”
Describing the colloquium as both timely, Maida said it offered all stakeholders in the telecoms sector a rare opportunity to take stock of the ACT’s strength, address its gaps and reimagine its role empowering Nigeria’s digital future.
He further clarified: “The theme of this event, ‘The Nigerian Communications Act 2003; 22 Years After-Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directors for a Digital Nigeria’, evaluating the acts impacts, identifying challenges and exploring future directions resonates deeply with the Commission’s mandate to foster and enabling environment for innovation, competition and consumer empowerment, as well as, of course, the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the strategic blueprint of the Honorable Minister of Communication, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
“The task before us is monumental, but so is our collective resolve. The Commission stands ready to collaborate, as always, with the National Assembly, industry stakeholders and international partners to translate today’s insights into actionable reforms.
“We envision a revised Nigeria Communications Act that not only addresses today’s challenges but anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities, a framework that would position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy”, Maida added.
