The Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) has introduced plans to revise the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003 in a transfer to modernise the nation’s authorized framework for innovation and telecommunications. The revision is meant to align the Act with present realities and anticipate future wants as Nigeria accelerates its push in direction of changing into a number one digital economic system.
Talking at a stakeholder colloquium on Tuesday, the NCC’s Government Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, described the assembly as a possibility to judge the effectiveness of the Nigerian Communications Act, deal with its key shortcomings—together with its failure to cowl rising applied sciences like AI, 5G, and IoT, its lack of robust cybersecurity and rural connectivity provisions—and redefine the Act’s position in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation in a quickly evolving economic system.
“We envision a revised Nigerian Communications Act that not solely addresses in the present day’s challenges however anticipates tomorrow’s alternatives—a framework that positions Nigeria as a frontrunner within the world digital economic system,” he stated.
Enacted in 2003, the NCA was a landmark coverage that liberalised Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, dismantled the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Restricted’s (NITEL) monopoly, and established the NCC as an unbiased regulator. It paved the way in which for widespread cell phone adoption, web penetration, and progress throughout industries like e-commerce, cellular banking, telemedicine, and fintech. Nevertheless, the digital economic system has advanced dramatically over the previous twenty years, and the legislation has struggled to maintain tempo.
The absence of provisions for rising applied sciences is one other important hole. When the Act was written, applied sciences corresponding to 5G, synthetic intelligence, blockchain, and the Web of Issues have been both of their infancy or nonexistent. At this time, they type the spine of the digital economic system. The NCC is advocating for the inclusion of regulatory sandboxes, innovation hubs, and adaptive licensing frameworks that permit for innovation whereas sustaining oversight.
A serious driver of the revision is the rising convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, and knowledge expertise. Whereas these sectors have been as soon as separate, companies like streaming, Voice over Web Protocol (VoIP), and digital broadcasting now span a number of regulatory domains. The present Act, which stays telecom-specific, fails to deal with this overlap and results in inefficiencies, regulatory conflicts, and stifled innovation. Updating the Act to grow to be technology-neutral and facilitate inter-agency coordination with our bodies just like the Nigeria Broadcasting Company (NBC) and Nationwide Data Know-how Growth Company (NITDA) is crucial.
“The brand new Act has to encourage measures for selling innovation, together with analysis and growth initiatives, innovation hubs, and partnerships with worldwide organisations,” stated Peter Ohiozojeh Akpatason, chairman, Home of Representatives Committee on Communications.
Cybersecurity and information safety are additionally key focus areas. With the rise of digital platforms has come a surge in cyber threats. The present Act incorporates restricted steering on defending shopper information or coping with cyber incidents. The NCC goals to strengthen these areas by harmonising the NCA with different related legal guidelines, such because the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigerian Information Safety Act, whereas clarifying its enforcement position.
Whereas the unique Act considerably improved telecom entry, a big digital divide stays. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, significantly in rural areas, nonetheless lack reasonably priced and dependable web entry. A revision of the Act should help infrastructure growth, mandate infrastructure sharing, scale back Proper of Approach (RoW) prices, and incentivise funding in underserved areas to bridge this hole.
Shoppers are additionally anticipated to profit from stronger safety below the revised Act. Though the NCC holds broad regulatory powers, enforcement has been inconsistent. Many subscribers proceed to report poor service supply, unresolved complaints, and a scarcity of compensation for disruptions. The proposed amendments purpose to extend penalties for non-compliance, set up extra accessible grievance channels, and implement common publication of service high quality metrics to carry operators accountable.
Regardless of its liberalising intent, the NCA 2003 has not eradicated systemic hurdles corresponding to a number of taxation, overlapping laws, and bureaucratic delays. These elements proceed to discourage funding and undermine service high quality. In keeping with the NCC, the revised Act will purpose to streamline regulatory and monetary processes throughout all tiers of presidency to encourage wholesome competitors and personal sector participation.
It’ll additionally deal with empowering digital entrepreneurs and expertise startups. New provisions are anticipated to incorporate tax incentives, entry to funding, and digital expertise growth to strengthen Nigeria’s rising tech ecosystem and place it as a regional hub for innovation.
The revision will strengthen NCC’s enforcement capabilities, replace its inside programs, and mandate common stakeholder engagement. These steps purpose to enhance the Fee’s responsiveness and be sure that the regulatory setting retains tempo with speedy technological change.
“It is a second to reassess, recalibrate, and realign Nigeria’s digital future with world greatest practices,” stated Maida. With the proposed reforms, the NCC hopes to ship a forward-looking, inclusive, and innovation-friendly authorized framework to help Nigeria’s world digital economic system ambitions.
