NCC invites stakeholders’ input on telecom policy review

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on industry stakeholders to submit written contributions as part of the ongoing review of Nigeria’s National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000.

The consultation paper for the policy review has been published on its website, with March 20, 2026, set as the deadline for submissions addressed to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.

The NCC explained that the consultation marks the first phase of a public engagement process required under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which mandates stakeholder participation before the formulation or modification of communications policies.

The policy review follows the inauguration of a Ministerial Steering Committee and a Ministerial Technical Committee by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to begin work on updating the 25-year-old policy framework.

According to the NCC, the revised policy will address emerging issues such as spectrum management, universal access, broadband expansion, net neutrality and quality of service, while aligning with the ministry’s strategic blueprint aimed at improving technical efficiency across the sector.

Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Aminu Maida, said the exercise will lead to the development of a first draft of the NTP 2026 to replace the existing policy after decades of implementation.

Maida noted that the NTP 2000 played a key role in transforming Nigeria’s telecom sector, helping to grow connections from about 500,000 lines to nearly 180 million active mobile subscriptions, but said rising demand for data services and other industry changes now require an updated framework.

He added that the draft policy will undergo further rounds of consultation before final approval, urging operators, consumers, government agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to participate in shaping the future of Nigeria’s communications sector.

The NCC said the review will consider 15 key policy proposals covering regulation, sustainability, emerging technologies and national security, with stakeholder feedback expected to guide amendments in line with statutory requirements.