The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to revise the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003 in a move to modernise the country’s legal framework for innovation and telecommunications. The revision is intended to align the Act with current realities and anticipate future needs as Nigeria accelerates its push towards becoming a leading digital economy.
Speaking at a stakeholder colloquium on Tuesday, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, described the meeting as an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nigerian Communications Act, address its key shortcomings—including its failure to cover emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and IoT, its lack of strong cybersecurity and rural connectivity provisions—and redefine the Act’s role in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation in a rapidly evolving economy.
“We envision a revised Nigerian Communications Act that not only addresses today’s challenges but anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities—a framework that positions Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy,” he said.
Enacted in 2003, the NCA was a landmark policy that liberalised Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, dismantled the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited’s (NITEL) monopoly, and established the NCC as an independent regulator. It paved the way for widespread mobile phone adoption, internet penetration, and growth across industries like e-commerce, mobile banking, telemedicine, and fintech. However, the digital economy has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, and the law has struggled to keep pace.
The absence of provisions for emerging technologies is another critical gap. When the Act was written, technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things were either in their infancy or nonexistent. Today, they form the backbone of the digital economy. The NCC is advocating for the inclusion of regulatory sandboxes, innovation hubs, and adaptive licensing frameworks that allow for innovation while maintaining oversight.
A major driver of the revision is the growing convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, and information technology. While these sectors were once separate, services like streaming, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and digital broadcasting now span multiple regulatory domains. The current Act, which remains telecom-specific, fails to address this overlap and leads to inefficiencies, regulatory conflicts, and stifled innovation. Updating the Act to become technology-neutral and facilitate inter-agency coordination with bodies like the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is essential.
“The new Act has to encourage measures for promoting innovation, including research and development initiatives, innovation hubs, and partnerships with international organisations,” said Peter Ohiozojeh Akpatason, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Communications.
Cybersecurity and data protection are also key focus areas. With the rise of digital platforms has come a surge in cyber threats. The current Act contains limited guidance on protecting consumer data or dealing with cyber incidents. The NCC aims to strengthen these areas by harmonising the NCA with other relevant laws, such as the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigerian Data Protection Act, while clarifying its enforcement role.
While the original Act significantly improved telecom access, a large digital divide remains. Millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, still lack affordable and reliable internet access. A revision of the Act must support infrastructure development, mandate infrastructure sharing, reduce Right of Way (RoW) costs, and incentivise investment in underserved areas to bridge this gap.
Consumers are also expected to benefit from stronger protection under the revised Act. Although the NCC holds broad regulatory powers, enforcement has been inconsistent. Many subscribers continue to report poor service delivery, unresolved complaints, and a lack of compensation for disruptions. The proposed amendments aim to increase penalties for non-compliance, establish more accessible grievance channels, and enforce regular publication of service quality metrics to hold operators accountable.
Despite its liberalising intent, the NCA 2003 has not eliminated systemic hurdles such as multiple taxation, overlapping regulations, and bureaucratic delays. These factors continue to discourage investment and undermine service quality. According to the NCC, the revised Act will aim to streamline regulatory and fiscal processes across all tiers of government to encourage healthy competition and private sector participation.
It will also focus on empowering digital entrepreneurs and technology startups. New provisions are expected to include tax incentives, access to funding, and digital skills development to strengthen Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem and position it as a regional hub for innovation.
The revision will strengthen NCC’s enforcement capabilities, update its internal systems, and mandate regular stakeholder engagement. These steps aim to improve the Commission’s responsiveness and ensure that the regulatory environment keeps pace with rapid technological change.
“This is a moment to reassess, recalibrate, and realign Nigeria’s digital future with global best practices,” said Maida. With the proposed reforms, the NCC hopes to deliver a forward-looking, inclusive, and innovation-friendly legal framework to support Nigeria’s global digital economy ambitions.
