The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has advocated an urgent review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
He noted that the rapid evolution of digital technologies and the growing demands of Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem, makes it imperative that it be reviewed.
Speaking at a Colloquium on Legislative Agenda held in Lagos, Maida described the current legislation as “increasingly misaligned with 2025 and future realities.”
He stated that “the reality of 2025 demands we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future. A revised Communications Act must anticipate opportunities, not merely respond to challenges”.
He highlighted early successes recorded in the Act, stressing its role in expanding mobile subscriptions from less than 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million as at now, in addition to its contribution of approximately 14% to Nigeria’s GDP by the third quarter of 2024.
He, however, warned that new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, 5G, Quantum Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain Technology, require an updated regulatory framework.
“Progress is not a destination, but a journey. The industry is experiencing a seismic shift driven by AI, 5G, quantum computing, IoT, and blockchain. Our regulatory framework must evolve just as quickly if we are to maintain momentum and close the digital divide,” he stressed.
Maida equally expressed concern over enduring barriers, including inadequate power supply, high Right of Way (RoW) costs, and escalating operational expenses, which he noted, limit infrastructure rollout in rural and underserved regions.
He added that cybersecurity threats and rising capital requirements further complicate the sector’s sustainability, while the current legislation lacks the depth to handle Nigeria’s increasingly digital economy.
He commended the National Assembly for initiating the dialogue and pledged the NCC’s readiness to collaborate with lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and global partners in crafting a forward-looking legal framework.
The colloquium, with the theme, “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria,” aggregated telecom experts from government, the private sector, and civil society.
