Regulator says outdated framework can no longer support 5G, AI, fintech growth, cybersecurity demands, and Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital landscape…..
The Nigerian Communications Commission has commenced a major review of Nigeria’s national telecommunications policy, declaring that the country’s existing framework introduced more than two decades ago no longer aligns with the realities of today’s digital economy.
Speaking at the national telecommunications policy review workshop held in Lagos on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, said the telecommunications landscape has transformed dramatically since the policy was introduced in 2000.
According to her, the framework was designed for a completely different era and can no longer effectively address the demands of a digitally driven economy.
“A policy that served Nigeria in 2000 cannot automatically remain effective in 2026,” she said.
Usman explained that telecommunications has evolved far beyond voice calls and mobile connectivity, becoming a critical backbone for sectors such as financial technology, digital commerce, healthcare, agriculture, education, innovation, governance, and national security.
“Telecommunications is no longer just another sector of the economy. It now powers almost every aspect of national development,” she stated.
She warned that outdated policies and weak coordination across institutions often create regulatory overlaps, discourage investment, slow implementation, and weaken the overall impact of government initiatives.
According to her, the revised policy framework must focus on expanding broadband penetration, improving affordability, strengthening service quality, protecting consumers, and ensuring digital inclusion for underserved communities across the country.
Usman stressed that the new policy should not become another dormant government document but a practical instrument capable of driving measurable improvements in the sector.
She also highlighted several challenges slowing telecom infrastructure growth in Nigeria, including fibre optic vandalism, multiple taxation, delayed approvals, right-of-way bottlenecks, insecurity, and rising energy costs.
The presidential aide said addressing these issues would require stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, regulators, infrastructure providers, telecom operators, and private investors.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the assumptions behind the National Telecommunications Policy 2000 no longer reflect the structure of the modern digital economy.
He noted that when the policy was first introduced, Nigeria’s primary focus was on liberalising the telecoms sector, encouraging competition, attracting private investment, and expanding access to basic telephone services.
However, he said the sector has since evolved into a much broader digital ecosystem that now supports banking, e-commerce, cloud computing, digital identity systems, online entertainment, education platforms, and public service delivery.
“This is no longer just a telecommunications discussion. The sector has become a productivity infrastructure for the entire economy,” Maida said.
The NCC boss added that emerging technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things solutions, and cybersecurity regulations have significantly reshaped the industry.
According to him, the ongoing review will also examine structural challenges affecting the sector, including rural connectivity gaps, multiple taxation, high operational costs, fibre cuts, and delays in obtaining permits for infrastructure deployment.
Maida said the commission aims to develop a modern policy framework capable of encouraging innovation, protecting consumers, improving service quality, attracting investment, and accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.
He added that the workshop was convened to evaluate the implementation of the current policy, identify existing gaps, engage stakeholders, and generate recommendations that will shape Nigeria’s proposed National Telecommunications Policy 2026.
