The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has made a compelling case for the urgent review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, describing the two-decade-old legislation as “increasingly misaligned with 2025 and future realities.”
Speaking at the high-level Colloquium on Legislative Agenda in Lagos on Monday, Dr. Maida highlighted the Act’s transformational legacy, including the rise of mobile subscriptions from less than 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million today, and the telecom sector’s contribution of approximately 14% to Nigeria’s GDP as of Q3 2024.
However, he warned that emerging technologies and growing connectivity disparities have rendered several aspects of the Act outdated.
“Progress is not a destination, but a journey,” Maida stated. “The industry is experiencing a seismic shift driven by AI, 5G, quantum computing, IoT, and blockchain. Our regulatory framework must evolve just as quickly if we are to maintain momentum and close the digital divide.”
He lamented persistent structural barriers such as poor power supply, high cost of Right of Way (RoW) approvals, and rising operational costs — all of which hamper digital infrastructure expansion, especially in underserved rural areas.
Dr. Maida also flagged cyber security threats and escalating capital requirements as urgent challenges, adding that the current law does not adequately address the complexity of Nigeria’s rapidly digitising economy.
“The reality of 2025 demands we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future. A revised Communications Act must anticipate opportunities, not merely respond to challenges.”
The EVC applauded the National Assembly for convening the dialogue and pledged the Commission’s continued collaboration with lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and international partners to draft a future-ready legal framework.
His comments suggest a legislative review could be imminent, as Nigeria seeks to cement its place in the global digital economy.
The event, themed “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria,” attracted key figures from government, industry, and civil society.
