*Review Nigerian Communications Act 2003, Maida urges
By Olawale Lamina
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and the Federal Ministry of Justice have synergized to tackle the challenges stiffling investment in the telecommunications sector of the nation .
The forum was the First Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Sector which took place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event which brought together the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN and the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, provided an opportunity to brainstorm on critical issues with a view to addressing them.
In his keynote speech, the Minister of Justice noted that digital transformation is of utmost importance as a way of improving the nation’s socio-economic development of a nation.
Fagbemi emphasized that a well regulated telecoms industry implies enacting and implementing laws and regulations to safeguard the protection of rights including that of privacy, data protection, consumer rights as well as regulations that allow the ease of doing business in the country .
The chief law officer pointed out that, “The justice and judicial sector are therefore critical components for regulating communications in Nigeria. This inevitably entails upholding the rule of law by providing level playing fields for actors in the communications sector, preventing the exploitation of consumer rights through strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks and streamlining penal dispensation with a view to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.”
He added that particular attention must be given to measures to check vandalism of telecoms infrastructure, by making sure that perpetrators are made to face the consequences under the law.
He reeled out data which indicated that Nigeria’s communications sector is one of the dynamic and rapidly growing sectors, drawing from recent data from the NCC, he stated that Nigeria has over 220 million active voice subscriptions as of Q1 2025, with broadband penetration now over 52 per cent.
“This connectivity supports everything from remote education to financial inclusion in both urban and rural areas. This administration is focussed on leveraging advancement in the communications sector as a tool for development and transformation of the economy,” the AGF said.
But Fagbemi lamented that the industry is being confronted by some recurring critical challenges namely, multiple taxation and levies by the three tiers of government- federal, state and local authorities, in addition to destruction of telecom infrastructure, especially in conflict-prone areas; regulatory overlaps that confuse operators and complicate compliance; slow broadband infrastructure roll-out, due in part to right-of-way challenges and inconsistent state policies, among others.
He said: “These incidents constitute economic sabotage, negatively impact the development of the communications sector and hinder digital transformation in the country.
“It is therefore critical that the three arms of government, as stakeholders cooperate and collaborate to address these issues and ensure improved regulation of the communications sector for enhanced socio-economic development. The legislature must review and strengthen laws that protect infrastructure and support the communications sector, while the executive reinforce measures aimed at implementing these laws. The judiciary is also a key stakeholder in ensuring offenders and saboteurs are made to face the full wrath of the law.
These measures are not only to be adopted at the federal level. State governments also play key roles. Through institutional and governmental cooperation, we can eliminate some of these challenges, such as in 2023 when Anambra State proactively adopted a unified right-of-way policy, resulting in a 38 per cent increase in fibre optic expansion within six months. Proactive measures like these are laudable and I encourage all stakeholders to support the developmental efforts of the NCC.
“I therefore wish to recommend that stakeholders work towards adopting strategies and mechanisms that enhance synergy in regulating communications for the digital transformation in Nigeria. “These include legal and policy harmonization, creation of a Federal-State regulatory coordination forum, adopting uniform Right of Way (RoW) Policy implementation, joint enforcement of laws that protect infrastructure and consolidation of digital taxation framework,”
He reminded Attorneys-General from the sub-nationals that, as Chief Law Officers under the constitution they have been uniquely placed to drive synergy, adding that, “We must be able to advise our respective governments on policies that affect the digital economy, ensure that our laws and enforcement actions are constitutionally sound and support dispute resolution mechanisms that prevent prolonged litigation. We must also work to champion data privacy, cyber security and digital rights enforcement at the state level.”
He charged Attorneys-General to endeavour to build a working relationship with the NCC and relevant stakeholders towards delivering on the vision of a transformed communications sector for enhanced socio-economic development of the nation.
In his welcome address, the EVC/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida said the theme of the workshop, ”Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria,” underscores the Commission’s belief that collaboration is essential.
He therefore stressed that no sector, especially as dynamic and impactful as communications, can’t be effectively regulated without collaboration. He emphasized that the communications sector remains a vital enabler of innovation, commerce, governance, and inclusion.
Dr. Maida stressed that, “However, to fully unlock its potential, we must tackle a range of challenges that cut across legal, regulatory, fiscal, and operational domains.
“This is where your role, as Attorneys-General, becomes critical. You are not only the Chief Law Officers of your states; you are also policy influencers and key partners in shaping the legal frameworks that support national development.
“Your insights and guidance help ensure that innovation happens within a structure that promotes fairness, accountability, and long-term stability.”
He also informed that the forum was organized to tackle some of the most pressing issues in the sector, including “A review of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003): We will reflect on its strengths, limitations, and areas for reform to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving digital age.
“Streamlining taxation in the communications sector: The issue of multiple and inconsistent taxes continues to deter investment. We must work together to harmonize tax regimes and remove disincentives to growth.
“Addressing regulatory overlaps: Fragmented oversight creates confusion and inefficiencies. Our goal is to explore reforms that enhance coordination and legal clarity across agencies.
“Protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII): Following the 2024 Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu, the designation of communications infrastructure as CNII gives us a new framework for collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders; we must now operationalize it effectively.
“As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, underpinned by technologies such as AI, IoT, and high-speed connectivity, the challenges will grow more complex; but so too will the opportunities. To succeed, we must adopt a whole-of-government approach that leverages the strengths of all institutions—federal and state,” he said.
He said the NCC remained committed to working with judicial officers to align regulatory actions with broader national goals.
“We believe the Attorneys-General have a strategic role to play—not just in interpreting the law, but in shaping an enabling legal environment where technology and governance work in tandem.” Maida stated
The NCC CEO expressed the hope that the workshop become an annual platform for knowledge sharing, promoting mutual understanding, and joint problem-solving, as well as lead to a better outcome am confident that the conversations we start here will lead to stronger partnerships and better outcomes for the Nigerian people,” Dr Maida added.
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