Nigeria has approved processes for the review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, just as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has kicked off discourse on the proposed National Telecommunications Policy 2026.

It would be recalled that the NCC had approached the Presidency for approval to review the Act in its bid to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy framework and modernise the country’s telecommunications regulatory framework.

Ad >>>

According to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, who disclosed this at the National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop organized by the NCC, in Lagos, Friday, the decision to embark on the review was informed by the realization that the country cannot build a globally competitive digital economy using outdated telecommunications policies and weak implementation structures.

According to her, the review became necessary because the Information and Communications Technology sector has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, transforming the role of telecommunications in national development.

She explained that the economy, technology ecosystem, security environment and expectations of citizens have significantly changed since the enactment of the Nigerian Communications Act in 2003.

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

She noted that telecommunications is no longer limited to voice communication but has become the foundation for digital banking, fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, education, innovation, agriculture, public service delivery and national security coordination.

She acknowledged that unclear policies frequently lead to inconsistent implementation, duplication of responsibilities, poor resource allocation and weak development outcomes, further advising that the revised telecommunications policy must address key national priorities including broadband expansion, affordability of digital access, quality of service, consumer protection, infrastructure resilience and inclusion of underserved and rural communities.

Usman further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the Nigerian telecommunications sector had grown far beyond the assumptions that shaped the National Telecommunications Policy 2000.

Maida explained that the policy was originally designed during a period focused on market liberalisation, increased telephone access, private sector participation and competition within the telecom industry.

According to him, the industry is now driven by emerging technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity regulation.

“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.

The NCC boss stated that the planned review would, however, preserve core principles such as competition, universal access, consumer protection and independent regulation while creating room for innovation, investment and technological advancement.

He explained that the workshop was convened to assess the implementation of the current telecommunications policy, identify regulatory and operational gaps, engage stakeholders on reform proposals and develop recommendations for a proposed National Telecommunications Policy 2026.

He urged stakeholders to approach the review process with openness, innovation and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and globally competitive digital economy for Nigeria.