The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has commenced a review of the National Telecommunications Policy, last updated in the year 2000.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this at a media engagement in Abuja, noting that the current policy no longer reflects today’s realities in the telecommunications landscape.
“The existing framework was designed for a voice-and-text era,” Maida explained. “But our world has moved far beyond that. The sector today is driven by internet connectivity and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and augmented reality. We are already consulting with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to ensure the policy reflects these new realities.”
As part of broader reforms, the NCC will also begin publishing quarterly performance reports of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The reports, he said, will rely on aggregated data directly from consumers’ devices, offering state-by-state analyses and ranking operators publicly.
“Transparency is at the heart of this initiative,” Maida stated. “If an operator is ranked last, it will put pressure on their boards to act. At the same time, those results will give operators the leverage they need to push for more investment. Ultimately, this is about accountability and better service for Nigerians.”
The NCC boss stressed that strong corporate governance remains a key priority for the regulator, as it directly impacts financial performance, service delivery, and compliance. In this regard, the Commission is updating Quality of Service (QoS) guidelines and expanding oversight to include Tower Companies (TowerCos).
Maida also highlighted progress in other reforms, including the completion of the National Identification Number–Subscriber Identity Module (NIN-SIM) audit, resolution of lingering USSD debt disputes, the industry’s transition to end-user billing, and the launch of a Major Incident Reporting Portal to strengthen accountability.
Reassuring Nigerians of the regulator’s commitment, Maida said the NCC is “working tirelessly with industry stakeholders to improve service delivery across the board.”
Consumer education also featured prominently at the event. The NCC’s Director of Consumer Affairs, Freda Bruce-Bennett, urged subscribers to adopt data-saving habits such as switching off video autoplay, limiting background data usage, monitoring app permissions, and regularly updating applications.
According to her, these simple practices not only help consumers manage their data but also contribute to better network efficiency.
Both officials emphasized that the ultimate goal of the Commission’s initiatives is to ensure transparency, foster competition, and improve the quality of service in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
