Onome Amuge
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is on the cusp of a $1 billion investment boom, following a policy shift by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that has already triggered a wave of capital inflows.
Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, disclosed that the regulator’s decision in January to allow market forces to determine service prices is expected to attract more than $1 billion in network infrastructure investment in 2025 alone, marking the largest injection of capital into the sector in years.
Maida, in a media chat, explained that the move away from rigid, government-imposed price controls was a necessary step to restore investor confidence and stimulate growth. “We took a tough but necessary decision to return to the principles that built this industry. By removing rigid price controls, operators can now compete fairly, reinvest profits, and attract the foreign capital we desperately need,”Maida said.
For nearly a decade, Nigeria’s telecom market had operated under a de facto price control regime, where tariffs remained static while other players in the value chain could adjust for inflation and currency fluctuations. This policy discouraged network expansion and modernisation, leading to a widening gap between Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure and global standards. Maida noted that some operators, who had not purchased new hardware for three years, have now begun to invest, with equipment ordered earlier this year already arriving in the country.
“This industry requires continuous investment; no one is waiting for us. Globally, people are already talking about 6G while we are still closing the gap on 5G,” he warned.
Despite the promising investment outlook, the sector continues to be plagued by persistent operational challenges, a fact Maida did not shy away from. Maida noted that vandalism, the theft of diesel and generators, and difficulties in securing new sites for base stations remain major threats to network stability. The industry’s reliance on imported telecom hardware and software, coupled with a monthly diesel consumption of over 40 million litres, makes it highly vulnerable to logistical and security disruptions.
To address these issues, the NCC stated that it is revising security guidelines for telecom sites and working with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting network facilities.
Maida emphasised that shutting down or vandalising telecom infrastructure over disputes is unacceptable and urged security agencies and state governments to treat these installations as “Critical National Infrastructure.” The NCC is also finalising a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Ministry of Works and engaging key states to align infrastructure projects with telecom needs.
The NCC chief further disclosed plans for an inter-agency platform to facilitate information sharing and conflict resolution, alongside a nationwide rapid response force tailored to regional security realities.
Maida expressed optimism that the combination of pricing reforms, renewed investment, and stronger security measures would mark a turning point for Nigeria’s telecom sector, setting the stage for a period of sustained growth.
“By the end of this year, we expect to see over a billion dollars in cumulative investment in core infrastructure. This wasn’t happening in 2020 or 2022. Something big has been triggered and I believe it is the reforms we made,” he said.
