Telecom stakeholders push for stronger legal safeguards, NCC autonomy amid regulatory overlaps

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry have called for a comprehensive legislative overhaul to strengthen the independence of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and protect telecom operators from overlapping and burdensome regulations, particularly from sub-national authorities.

This appeal came during a high-level panel session held on Tuesday in Lagos, organized by the NCC to review the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The gathering attracted top telecom executives, legal experts, and industry regulators, all united in a shared concern over mounting regulatory interference threatening the sector’s stability and growth.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), raised the alarm over the increasing encroachment of local and state authorities in telecom operations.

He cited a recent incident involving government agencies in Kogi State as a troubling example of regulatory overreach.

“We need stronger legislation to shield us from interference by local authorities and conflicting state laws,” Adebayo said. “These actions compromise our ability to deliver seamless communication services across the country.”

Adebayo further underscored the vital role the NCC’s independence has played in the telecom sector’s success, particularly in areas such as pricing regulation. “The success of our industry is due largely to the independence of our regulator,” he added.

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Representing the NCC, Ms. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, acknowledged that while the existing Communications Act has facilitated industry growth since its enactment in 2003, it now requires significant revision to meet contemporary technological demands.

“We must align the Act with new technologies like Over-The-Top (OTT) services and address critical issues such as interconnection,” Whyte said.

She proposed that the revised law include a dedicated chapter on communication offences and national infrastructure protection. She also advocated for the adoption of smart licensing models and clearer obligations for industry participants.

Mr. Damian Udeh, Associate Director at IHS Nigeria, focused on the persistent challenges in service quality across the industry. Despite recent improvements, he highlighted external factors such as unreliable electricity supply and infrastructure deficiencies as ongoing hurdles.

“We’ve seen quality improvements, but we need greater empathy from the regulator, given the challenges we face,” Udeh remarked.

In his contribution, Mr. Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer at MTN Nigeria, called for reforms that would ease entry barriers for startups and young innovators.

He recommended implementing a general authorization or regulatory sandbox model to facilitate innovation and access to critical telecom data.

“We need a general authorisation or sandbox regime to let startups access data and build new solutions,” Okigbo said.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that the NCC remains politically independent.

Drawing a parallel with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Okigbo noted that the NCC’s effectiveness hinges on its ability to operate without political interference.

“We must empower the NCC to act independently, free from political interference,” he stated.