NCC to enforce non-monetary sanctions on defaulting ICT operators

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to impose stricter, non-monetary sanctions on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) operators that fail to comply with regulatory standards, citing ongoing violations and persistent poor service delivery.

NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, expressed concern over the ineffectiveness of financial penalties, as some operators continue to flout regulations while routinely budgeting for fines.

According to Maida, these actions undermine the quality of telecom services and pose risks to Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

In response, the Commission is preparing to review its Enforcement Processes Regulations (EPR) 2019, proposing five major reforms aimed at strengthening compliance.

One key proposal is the introduction of administrative sanctions—such as suspending licensing privileges—instead of relying solely on fines.

Other proposals include expanding liabilities for offences like call masking, SIM boxing, and interconnection fraud, clarifying fine structures, and applying asymmetric sanctions—where penalties are adjusted based on the size and capacity of the operator to ensure fairness and industry sustainability.

The reforms also aim to hold the management and boards of consistently defaulting firms accountable, outlining conditions under which their roles and activities may be restricted or reviewed.

The NCC has opened a consultation window for stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposals ahead of the official rule-making process, set to begin in Q3 2025.

The overhaul follows a 2024 Regulatory Impact Assessment, which revealed significant gaps in the current enforcement framework, including unclear procedures and the overreliance on financial sanctions.

Dr. Maida emphasized that the Commission’s priority is not revenue generation but effective regulation that promotes quality service, accountability, and long-term growth of the communications sector.