Digital transformation requires unified legal, governmental Effort — NCC

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has emphasized that Nigeria’s digital transformation can only succeed through seamless collaboration among all tiers of government and the legal community.

Speaking at the inaugural Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Sector in Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Maida said the future of communications regulation depends on a “Whole-of-Government approach” that unites federal, state, and legal institutions to confront the sector’s mounting complexities.

“Synergy in regulating communications is not optional — it is essential,” Dr. Maida declared.

“No sector, especially one as dynamic as communications, can thrive under fragmented oversight. We must work together to drive innovation, inclusivity, and economic development.”

A major objective of the workshop is to review the Nigerian Communications Act (2003) to ensure it remains relevant in a fast-changing digital environment dominated by technologies such as AI, IoT, and broadband connectivity.

Dr. Maida stressed the urgency of harmonizing taxes and levies in the communications industry, pointing out that inconsistent and overlapping taxation across jurisdictions is a major barrier to investment and innovation.

The session also addressed the need to resolve regulatory overlaps between government agencies, a move Dr. Maida described as vital for improving legal clarity and regulatory efficiency.

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The NCC boss further called attention to the security dimension of communications infrastructure. Citing the 2024 Executive Order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which designated telecom assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), he said the Commission is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to implement new protective measures.

“Our legal officers must not only interpret the law — they must help shape the enabling legal framework where governance and technology meet,” Maida noted.

Dr. Maida traced the evolution of Nigeria’s communications regulatory landscape — from liberalization in the early 2000s to current challenges involving artificial intelligence governance and cybersecurity.

He emphasized that collaborative, forward-looking regulation is essential to preserve momentum and deliver digital dividends to Nigerians.

He expressed hope that the workshop would become an annual forum for meaningful engagement between regulators and the legal community, providing a platform for shared learning, joint problem-solving, and deeper collaboration.

“The NCC is fully committed to working with Attorneys-General and legal practitioners nationwide to align regulatory decisions with national development goals,” Dr. Maida concluded.

“What we achieve together in this room will echo across the digital future of Nigeria.”