NCC moves to review 22-year old Communications Act amid industry evolution
Joy Agwunobi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated the process to review the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003, in a move aimed at aligning the regulatory framework with the current realities of digital innovation and Nigeria’s long-term digital transformation goals.
Speaking at a colloquium held recently in Lagos, Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman (EVC) of the NCC, emphasised that the 22-year-old legislation no longer sufficiently addresses the demands of a rapidly evolving technology ecosystem.
The event themed “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After — Challenges, Opportunities and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria,” served as a platform to reflect on the Act’s relevance in the face of transformative advancements.
Maida noted that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and quantum computing are significantly reshaping the communications sector. However, he warned that the current legal framework does not adequately anticipate or regulate the implications of these developments.
“The reality of 2025 demands we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future. A revised Communications Act must anticipate opportunities, not merely respond to challenges,” he stated.
Beyond emerging technologies, Maida highlighted several persistent infrastructural and operational challenges that must be addressed through legislative reform. These include unreliable electricity supply, prohibitive costs of Right of Way (RoW) approvals, escalating operational expenses, and inadequate broadband coverage, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Despite these gaps, Maida acknowledged that the existing Act had played a transformative role in the sector’s growth. It helped dismantle monopolies, foster competition, and open up the telecommunications industry to private investment, contributing to explosive growth in mobile subscriptions—from fewer than 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million currently. This surge, he noted, has powered significant advances in internet penetration and enabled a thriving digital economy.
Today, Nigeria’s telecom sector contributes approximately 14 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driven by innovations in mobile banking, e-commerce, digital learning platforms, and other digital services that have improved the quality of life for millions.
Maida expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for its leadership in initiating the review of the Act and reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to working collaboratively with legislators, industry stakeholders, and international partners to create a forward-looking legal and regulatory framework.
In his remarks, Peter Akpatason, chairman of the house committee on communications, underscored the critical importance of revisiting the Act after two decades. He called for a comprehensive review that prioritises emerging issues such as 5G deployment, AI regulation, cybersecurity, and bridging the digital divide.
Akpatason urged stakeholders to contribute actively to the policy dialogue, emphasising that robust engagement is essential to crafting reforms that will foster an inclusive and resilient digital economy.
Also addressing the gathering, Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House of Representatives, represented by Isiaka Ayokunle, deputy whip, highlighted the communications sector as central to Nigeria’s economic and social advancement. While he applauded achievements in e-commerce and mobile financial services, Abbas cautioned against growing cybersecurity threats that could undermine these gains.
He pointed to recent legislative initiatives such as the Cybercrime Act, the Nigerian Data Protection Act, and the Nigeria Startup Act as examples of efforts to strengthen digital trust, protect users, and stimulate innovation.
The Speaker expressed hope that the colloquium would yield concrete policy recommendations to guide the amendment of the Communications Act and ensure Nigeria’s regulatory environment is robust enough to support its aspirations as a leading digital economy.