By Chimezie Ndubisi
Africa’s flagship telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications commission, NCC in its usual characteristic manner blazed the trail again in hosting the first edition of the annual workshop for Attorneys General on the tackling of emerging issues on telecommunications sector.
Themed “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria”, the 2-day workshop which held July30-31, 2025 at Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja had in attendance Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who delivered the keynote address, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reform, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Attorneys-General and Solicitors-General of several states of the federation, President of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON and other Stakeholders in the Industry.
Aiming for a stronger partnership and better outcomes for Nigeria, the commission hopes that the workshop will foster collaboration between the legal community and the regulatory ecosystem driving Nigeria’s digital future.
According to the EVC, “collaborative, forward-looking regulation is essential to sustain innovation and inclusive digital growth.” Furthermore, a review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 reflecting on the strength, limitations, and arrears of reform in a rapidly evolving digital age is necessary. The issue of multiple taxation and inconsistent taxes which deter investments and regulatory overlaps particularly issues of fundamental oversight which creates confusion and inefficiencies between tiers of government are expected to be addressed. He further said that the goal is to explore reforms that enhance coordination and clarity especially at subnational levels.
In concluding his speech, the EVC declared “As Nigeria accelerates in digital transformation underpinned by Ai, IoT, high speed connectivity, the challenges and opportunities will grow more complex and that to succeed there is need to adopt a whole government approach that leverages the strength of all institutions across the tiers of government. The NCC aims to align all regulatory actions under national laws in shaping the legal environment where technology and governance work in tandem.”
