The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially commenced a review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000, nearly three decades after its adoption, citing rapid technological shifts and evolving market realities that have outpaced the existing framework.
The Commission announced the initiative on Monday, releasing a consultation paper to solicit input from stakeholders on proposed updates. According to the NCC, the review aims to reposition Nigeria’s telecommunications framework to reflect contemporary trends in digital services, internet governance, satellite communications, broadband expansion, and universal access, while sustaining the sector’s role as a key driver of economic growth.
The NTP 2000 itself replaced the 1998 policy, introducing full market liberalisation, stakeholder consultation, and a unified regulatory framework under the NCC. The policy marked a shift from state control to competition-driven growth, ending the monopoly of the government-owned Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), which had been plagued by outdated equipment, poor service quality, and low teledensity.
“The sector has transformed dramatically since the licensing of GSM operators in 2001 and 2002,” the NCC said. “Mobile subscriptions surpassed fixed-line users almost overnight, unlocking massive market potential and setting the stage for the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”
Over the years, the telecommunications sector has become one of Nigeria’s most vibrant industries, attracting foreign investment, contributing to GDP, and enabling e-commerce, digital financial services, and the broader digital economy.
The NCC’s review proposes updates to several chapters of the policy:
- Chapter Seven (Internet): Strengthening online safety, internet exchange protocols, and guidance on content moderation and digital services.
- Chapter Eight (Satellite Communications): Creating a modern framework for satellite harmonisation, service provisioning, and coexistence with terrestrial networks, including clearer spectrum mapping.
- Chapter Ten (Financing and Funding): Addressing monetary and fiscal measures to stimulate sector growth, with attention to challenges like multiple taxation and overlapping regulations.
In addition, a new chapter is proposed to focus on broadband objectives, protection of critical national communications infrastructure, harmonisation of right-of-way charges across government tiers, and introduction of a one-stop permitting process for telecom infrastructure deployment.
The NCC noted that high right-of-way costs remain a major barrier, driving operating expenses up 85% to N5.85 trillion in 2024. The review aims to modernise the policy, reduce infrastructure deployment costs, and make Nigeria’s telecom sector more efficient and competitive.
