Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is set for a major policy overhaul as regulators, government officials and industry stakeholders seek to replace the National Telecommunications Policy 2000 with a modern framework capable of addressing emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

The push for reform took centre stage at the National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Lagos, where participants agreed that the policy that drove the liberalisation of the telecoms sector more than two decades ago no longer adequately reflects current technological and economic realities.

Stakeholders noted that the existing policy predates key innovations such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite broadband, the Internet of Things and other data-driven digital services, making a comprehensive review necessary.

Speaking at the workshop, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, Usman Bala, described the review as a critical national development initiative linked to broader economic and governance objectives.

Bala said telecommunications has evolved beyond a standalone communications service into a key platform supporting commerce, education, healthcare, financial inclusion, public service delivery, innovation and national productivity.

According to her, while the National Telecommunications Policy 2000 played a pivotal role in opening the sector to private investment and competition, significant changes in technology and citizen expectations now require a more forward-looking framework.

She noted that telecommunications now underpins digital trade, e-commerce, financial technology, digital identity systems, agriculture, security coordination and job creation, areas that were not envisaged when the original policy was introduced.

Declaring the workshop open, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, said the sector had undergone remarkable transformation since the introduction of the policy in 2000.

He recalled that Nigeria had fewer than 500,000 active telephone lines serving a population of over 120 million people at the time, with the industry largely controlled by the now-defunct NITEL.

Maida said the sector subsequently experienced rapid expansion through increased competition, broadband development, fibre-optic deployment, infrastructure sharing and improved service delivery, helping to establish one of Africa’s largest telecommunications markets.

Despite the progress, he identified persistent challenges including fibre cuts, infrastructure vandalism, high energy costs, multiple taxation, delays in obtaining permits and inadequate connectivity in rural communities.

According to him, these challenges have implications beyond the telecommunications industry, affecting the availability, reliability and reach of digital services across the economy.

Maida added that the industry has entered a new phase where regulation must address complex issues such as cybersecurity, digital trust, artificial intelligence, critical national information infrastructure protection and sustainable investment.

He said the proposed National Telecommunications Policy 2026 would retain the core principles of competition, consumer protection, universal access and independent regulation while creating a framework capable of supporting innovation, investment and digital inclusion.

Participants at the workshop also called for stronger coordination among government agencies to address long-standing obstacles to infrastructure deployment and service delivery.

Bala stressed that issues such as right-of-way approvals, fibre deployment, infrastructure security, taxation, digital literacy, energy supply and rural connectivity require coordinated action across multiple government institutions.

She further emphasised the need for effective implementation mechanisms, measurable targets and stronger accountability structures to ensure that policy objectives translate into tangible outcomes.

Industry stakeholders also highlighted the importance of regulatory certainty and infrastructure protection to attract long-term investment and accelerate digital connectivity nationwide.

According to the NCC, increased digitalisation across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, trade and public administration could significantly boost economic growth and employment.

Citing projections by the GSMA, Maida said deeper digital adoption could add about two percentage points to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by 2028, create nearly two million jobs and generate an additional N1.6 trillion in tax revenue.

Stakeholders further advocated stronger consumer protection measures, improved data governance, enhanced cybersecurity coordination and affordable digital access for underserved populations.

Bala maintained that the revised policy must prioritise affordability, service quality, digital literacy and inclusion, particularly for rural communities and low-income Nigerians.

She added that the new framework should include clear implementation timelines, funding arrangements, institutional responsibilities and measurable performance indicators to ensure effective delivery and accountability.

“The real test of a policy begins after approval,” she said, stressing that successful implementation would determine the impact of the proposed reforms on citizens and the broader economy.