The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and lawmakers at the National Assembly have started the process of reviewing the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which has been the foundation of Nigeria’s telecom growth for over two decades. The move is aimed at updating the law to reflect the realities of the fast-changing digital and technology space, including emerging areas like artificial intelligence, 5G, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The review was officially flagged off at a colloquium held in Lagos on Tuesday, bringing together telecom operators, technology experts, lawyers, and industry regulators.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the Act, when first introduced, transformed the Nigerian telecom industry by breaking down monopolies and encouraging competition. “When the Nigerian Communications Act was enacted over two decades ago, it heralded a new era for our nation’s communication sector,” he said.
Maida explained that the law provided a transparent and independent regulatory framework that helped the sector grow from just 300,000 mobile phone lines in 2001 to over 153 million active subscriptions by 2024. The telecommunications sector now contributes around 14 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of the third quarter of 2024, he added.
However, Maida stressed that the time has come for the Act to be reviewed. He said several challenges have emerged over the years, including poor infrastructure, expensive right-of-way charges for laying fibre cables, cybersecurity threats, and a widening digital divide between urban and rural areas.
The event was themed “22 Years After: Reassessing the Nigerian Communications Act.” Discussions focused on how the law can be modernised to support new technologies, protect consumers, and improve service delivery.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, Hon. Peter Akpatason, also spoke at the event. He said the NCA 2003 was a powerful tool that changed the face of communication in Nigeria, but it needs to be upgraded to keep up with today’s digital economy.
“The Nigerian Communications Act 2003 has been instrumental in shaping our telecommunications landscape,” Akpatason said. “However, 22 years later, it has become essential to reassess its provisions, identify challenges, and explore opportunities for growth and development in our rapidly changing world.”
He noted that the Act helped open up the sector to private investment, allowed more Nigerians to access mobile and internet services, and supported digital platforms such as e-banking, e-commerce, and mobile money.
Akpatason said the review will not only update the law but also expand consumer rights, encourage innovation, and bring in new rules to guide the use of modern technologies. He also called for stronger collaboration between lawmakers, industry operators, and regulators.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that the review is timely and necessary to position Nigeria’s telecom sector for the future. The process is expected to lead to legislative amendments that will be debated and passed by the National Assembly.
