The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says regulatory reforms introduced to stabilise Nigeria’s telecommunications industry are beginning to restore investor confidence, with fresh investments indicating renewed optimism in the sector.
Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) led by its President, Ike Neliaku, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, said recent investments demonstrate that industry players are now looking beyond survival towards long-term growth.
According to Maida, efforts by the Commission to strengthen the telecommunications ecosystem have helped rebuild confidence among investors after years of uncertainty.
“Through the efforts that we have been making to stabilise the sector, we have been able to restore investor confidence. The level of investment we are seeing now is not about keeping the lights on; it is about growing the industry. This is something we have not seen for years before my time, and it is a sign of investors saying we have confidence in the sector, in the reforms of the government, in the regulator, and we believe there is opportunity in this market,” he said.
Maida also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s telecom industry remains resilient and sustainable.
He said the NCC would continue working closely with professional bodies, including the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, to promote public awareness, responsible communication and effective stakeholder engagement on issues affecting the telecommunications sector.
The EVCÂ commended the institute for securing the hosting rights for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, describing the achievement as a testament to strategic communication and perseverance.
According to him, Nigeria’s successful bid demonstrates the country’s ability to present a compelling case on the global stage while reinforcing the importance of controlling its own narrative.
“It tells a compelling story of perseverance, strategic communication and the importance of owning the narrative. It also reflects our ability to convincingly demonstrate to the Global Alliance and other stakeholders why Nigeria deserves the chance to host the forum,” Maida said.
Looking ahead, he noted that Nigeria will also host the African Telecoms Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries 2026 in July 2026 and urged the NIPR to leverage the international gathering to further project the country’s image.
On the regulatory front, Maida said the Commission has intensified public education and awareness campaigns to improve transparency and accountability across the industry.
He listed key initiatives to include sensitisation on the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), efficient data usage campaigns, simplified tariff directives for mobile network operators, the public coverage map initiative and measures designed to foster greater competition within the telecommunications market.
Responding, Neliaku praised the NCC for its commitment to stakeholder engagement and collaboration, while acknowledging the Commission’s contributions to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
He expressed the institute’s readiness to partner with the regulator on initiatives aimed at promoting responsible communication, reputation management and public awareness of the Commission’s regulatory programmes.
