Nigeria is taking bold steps to tighten regulatory coordination in its booming digital communications sector, as the Federal Government and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) jointly called for stronger institutional synergy between federal and state legal authorities.
At the maiden Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Sector, held in Lagos on Wednesday, stakeholders emphasized the urgent need to harmonise legal frameworks, streamline tax regimes, and protect critical infrastructure to ensure Nigeria’s digital transformation is secure, inclusive, and sustainable.
Delivering the keynote address, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, highlighted the strategic role of law in powering digital innovation.
“Digital transformation is not possible without a robust legal ecosystem. The justice sector must ensure a level playing field, enforce rights to privacy and consumer protection, and prevent the destruction of communications infrastructure,” Fagbemi said.
He pointed to alarming issues such as multiple taxation, infrastructure vandalism, and regulatory overlap that are stalling progress.
He cited examples including the 2024 Ogun State multiple taxation case, which temporarily stalled telecom expansion projects; the 2023 vandalisation of telecom base stations in Kano; and inconsistent right-of-way (ROW) policies across states.
However, the AGF also praised Anambra State’s adoption of a unified ROW policy in 2023, which resulted in a 38% increase in fibre optic rollout within just six months, a model he urged other states to replicate.
The Honourable Minister called for creation of a Federal-State Regulatory Coordination Forum, harmonization of digital tax frameworks, uniform implementation of ROW policies, and stronger legal backing to enforce laws protecting infrastructure.
No Sector can be Regulated in Isolation – NCC boss Maida
Earlier, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, set the tone with a clear message: collaboration is not optional—it’s essential.
“The communications sector is a vital driver of innovation, commerce, governance, and inclusion. To unlock its full potential, we must address legal, fiscal, and operational bottlenecks collectively,” Maida stated.
He stressed that the sector is now entering a new regulatory frontier where the legal community must help navigate emerging issues such as AI governance, digital resilience, sustainable connectivity and enforcement of Executive Order 2024, which classifies telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
Maida reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to working closely with Attorneys-General across the federation, not just to interpret laws, but to shape policies that protect national assets and encourage investment.
He also revealed the Commission’s intention to review the Nigerian Communications Act (2003) to ensure it remains fit for the digital age.
A Call for ‘Whole-of-Government Approach’
Both leaders called for a “Whole-of-Government” approach, where the executive, legislature, judiciary, and sub-national actors unite to drive digital transformation through policy alignment and enforcement.
“We must eliminate jurisdictional confusion, end policy inconsistencies, and jointly tackle vandalism and exploitation,” said Fagbemi.
The workshop marks a critical moment in Nigeria’s digital governance landscape, creating a structured platform for legal and regulatory convergence.
It is expected to become an annual engagement forum to foster long-term collaboration between legal officers and digital regulators.
