Presidency approves review of Nigerian Communications Act to drive digital economy growth

The Presidency has approved plans by the Nigerian Communications Commission to review the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, marking a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy framework and modernising the country’s telecommunications regulatory system.

The disclosure was made by Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, during the NCC-organised National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop held in Lagos.

Usman said the Federal Government recognised that Nigeria could not build a globally competitive digital economy using outdated telecommunications policies and weak implementation structures.

According to her, the review became necessary because the Information and Communications Technology sector has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, transforming the role of telecommunications in national development.

She explained that the economy, technology ecosystem, security environment and expectations of citizens have significantly changed since the enactment of the Nigerian Communications Act in 2003.

“A policy that was fit for purpose in the year 2000 cannot simply be assumed to remain adequate in 2026,” Usman stated.

She noted that telecommunications is no longer limited to voice communication but has become the foundation for digital banking, fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, education, innovation, agriculture, public service delivery and national security coordination.

According to the presidential aide, outdated and poorly coordinated policies often create institutional overlaps, discourage investment, weaken implementation and reduce measurable developmental impact.

Usman stressed that public policies should not merely exist as official government documents but must serve as strategic frameworks capable of guiding regulators, boosting investor confidence and establishing clear expectations for citizens and businesses.

She warned that unclear policies frequently lead to inconsistent implementation, duplication of responsibilities, poor resource allocation and weak development outcomes.

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The presidential adviser added that the revised telecommunications policy must address key national priorities including broadband expansion, affordability of digital access, quality of service, consumer protection, infrastructure resilience and inclusion of underserved and rural communities.

She also emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration among federal agencies, state governments, local authorities, regulators, telecom operators, investors and infrastructure providers to accelerate digital infrastructure development across the country.

According to her, the policy review should not be treated as an ordinary regulatory exercise but as a strategic national development initiative tied directly to Nigeria’s economic reform and digital transformation agenda.

Usman further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

She disclosed that the proposed National Public Policy Development and Management Framework would help address governance gaps through standardised implementation processes, evidence-based policy evaluation and improved coordination mechanisms.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the Nigerian telecommunications sector had grown far beyond the assumptions that shaped the National Telecommunications Policy 2000.

Maida explained that the policy was originally designed during a period focused on market liberalisation, increased telephone access, private sector participation and competition within the telecom industry.

However, he said the sector has since evolved into a broad digital ecosystem supporting banking, commerce, entertainment, education, cloud computing, digital identity systems and government operations.

According to him, the industry is now driven by emerging technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity regulation.

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“This is no longer a narrow telecommunications conversation. It is no longer just one sector within the economy; it is a productivity infrastructure for the entire economy,” Maida said.

The NCC boss stated that the planned review would preserve core principles such as competition, universal access, consumer protection and independent regulation while creating room for innovation, investment and technological advancement.

He also identified major structural challenges affecting the sector, including fibre optic cable cuts, infrastructure vandalism, high energy costs, multiple taxation, delays in obtaining permits and persistent connectivity gaps in rural communities.

According to Maida, these issues have become national development concerns because they directly affect the quality, resilience and accessibility of digital services nationwide.

He explained that the workshop was convened to assess the implementation of the current telecommunications policy, identify regulatory and operational gaps, engage stakeholders on reform proposals and develop recommendations for a proposed National Telecommunications Policy 2026.

Maida added that the NCC aims to establish a modern policy framework capable of promoting innovation, improving service delivery, protecting consumers, encouraging investment and advancing Nigeria’s ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading digital economies.

He urged stakeholders to approach the review process with openness, innovation and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and globally competitive digital economy for Nigeria.