Nigeria’s telecom regulator and lawmakers have begun to review the Nigerian Communications Act 2023, seeking to modernise a landmark law that catalysed a $75 billion industry but now lags behind the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, 5G, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.
The initiative, kicked off at a Lagos colloquium on Tuesday with telecom operators, legal experts, and tech leaders, targets gaps in a two-decades-ago law that fueled mobile subscriptions from 300,000 in 2001 to 153 million in 2024.
Since the Act’s passage, it has dismantled monopolies and driven internet penetration above 40 per cent, with the telecommunications sector now contributing approximately 14 per cent to Nigeria’s gross domestic product as of Q3 2024.
“When the Nigerian Communications Act was enacted over two decades ago, it heralded a new era for our nation’s communication sector,” the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, said in his opening remarks.
The EVC added, “By dismantling monopolistic barriers and establishing a transparent, independent regulatory framework, the Act empowered the Commission to drive sectoral growth.”
The review, themed “22 Years After: Reassessing the Nigerian Communications Act,” targets entrenched challenges: infrastructure deficits, high right-of-way costs, cybersecurity threats, digital divide and others.
The review of the NCA 2003 is expected to culminate in a legislative amendment process that may redefine the roles of operators, expand consumer protections, and introduce governance mechanisms for emerging technologies.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Peter Akpatason, said the review is necessary to ensure the law reflects the realities of today’s digital economy and builds upon the act’s original vision.
“The Nigerian Communications Act 2003 has been instrumental in shaping our telecommunications landscape. 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,” Akpatason said in his keynote address.
He noted that the Act had delivered transformative change by enabling competition, expanding access, and driving innovation across sectors such as e-commerce, e-banking, and mobile finance.
“This digital revolution has opened vast opportunities to Nigerians and changed the way we live, work, and interact,” he said.
“Universal service was envisioned and is still key to delivering equitable access across the length and breadth of the country. These opportunities propelled Nigeria to a favourable place in the digital space.”
“Today, we gather to assess and reassess the Act’s effectiveness in promoting the growth and development of our digital economy,” Akpatason added, calling for robust collaboration between lawmakers, regulators, and industry players.”
