The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun a comprehensive review of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000, nearly three decades after its approval, citing rapid technological change and evolving market realities that have outpaced the existing framework.
The Commission announced the review on Monday with the release of a consultation paper inviting stakeholder input on proposed policy updates.
According to the NCC, the overhaul aims to reposition Nigeria’s telecom policy to reflect current realities in digital services, broadband expansion, internet governance, satellite communications and universal access, while sustaining the sector’s role as a key driver of economic growth.
The Commission said the 2000 policy itself replaced an earlier framework and introduced full market liberalisation, stakeholder consultation and a unified regulatory regime under the NCC.
It marked a major shift from state control, when Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) dominated the sector, to competition and market-driven growth. “NITEL was characterised by obsolete equipment, poor quality of service and low teledensity,” the NCC noted.
However, the regulator said the 2000 policy has now become outdated amid platform-driven digital services, broadband-dependent applications and emerging non-terrestrial networks.
The National Telecommunications Policy led to the licensing of GSM operators in 2001 and 2002, triggering explosive growth in mobile subscriptions and revealing huge pent-up demand.
It also paved the way for the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which established the current regulatory framework and helped attract significant foreign investment into the sector.
The NCC plans targeted revisions to several chapters, including:
- Internet policy: to address online safety, content moderation, digital platforms and internet exchange protocols.
- Satellite communications: to modernise policy on non-terrestrial networks, spectrum mapping and satellite service harmonisation.
- Financing and funding: to align with fiscal reforms and stimulate sector growth.
The Commission is also proposing a new chapter on broadband objectives, protection of critical telecom infrastructure, harmonised right-of-way charges and a one-stop permitting process for infrastructure deployment.
Despite rapid sector growth, high right-of-way charges and multiple taxation remain major barriers to infrastructure expansion.
NCC data shows telecom operators’ operating costs rose 85% to N5.85 trillion in 2024, driven largely by right-of-way expenses.
The proposed policy update, including harmonised charges, could help reduce deployment costs and accelerate broadband rollout.
