NCC launches 2025 corporate governance guidelines for telecom industry

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially launched its 2025 Corporate Governance Guidelines, a landmark regulatory framework designed to promote transparency, sustainability, and long-term resilience within the nation’s telecommunications industry.

Speaking at the launch event held in Lagos on Wednesday, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, described the new guidelines as more than a compliance tool, emphasizing their role in securing investments and building digital trust in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding telecom sector.

“This launch is not just about compliance. It’s about the sustainability of networks, of investments, of innovation, and of customer trust,” Maida said.

The guidelines mark the latest phase in a regulatory journey that began in 2014 with the introduction of a voluntary code.

The new framework incorporates feedback gathered through extensive public consultations in 2023 and 2024, and adapts international best practices to the Nigerian telecom landscape.

Key Provisions of the 2025 Guidelines Include:

• Enhanced board structure with a focus on sector-specific expertise.

• Mandatory compliance reporting, both mid-year and annually.

• Stronger internal controls and improved enterprise risk management.

• Mandatory ESG and CSR disclosures, prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainable operations.

Maida noted that NCC’s analysis in 2024 found that telecom firms with stronger governance frameworks significantly outperformed others in terms of profitability, compliance, and service delivery.

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He urged telecom operators to view the guidelines as a “toolkit for sustainable value creation,” not just a regulatory requirement.

He also encouraged investment in board education, robust risk frameworks, and governance-linked performance indicators.

“We are here to engage, enable, and enforce—in that order,” Maida affirmed, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to supporting operators through the transition.

The guidelines will be implemented in phases, starting with priority license classes.

The rollout comes at a pivotal moment, as Nigeria’s telecom sector boasting over 200 million active subscriptions grapples with rising cybersecurity threats, consumer demand for faster services, and pressure to scale broadband access.

“This is a decisive step towards a resilient, ethical and innovative telecoms industry,” Maida concluded.