The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to revise the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003 in order to modernise the country’s telecommunications and digital innovation framework. Speaking at a stakeholder colloquium, the Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, said the revision is necessary to align the Act with emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things, while ensuring strong cybersecurity, rural connectivity, and inclusive digital governance.
Enacted two decades ago, the original NCA helped liberalise Nigeria’s telecom sector and spur growth in mobile adoption and internet access. However, the digital economy has since outgrown the law’s provisions. The NCC now seeks to introduce adaptive regulatory tools such as innovation hubs, regulatory sandboxes, and flexible licensing to encourage innovation while addressing the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, and IT.
Key areas of the proposed amendment include stronger cybersecurity and data protection measures, harmonisation with related laws, and a technology-neutral approach that encourages inter-agency cooperation. The NCC also aims to tackle challenges such as multiple taxation, poor service delivery, and rural digital exclusion by reducing barriers to infrastructure development, enforcing service quality standards, and incentivising investment in underserved regions.
The revision is also expected to support Nigeria’s growing tech startup ecosystem by introducing tax incentives, funding access, and skills development. Maida emphasised that the updated Act would serve as a forward-looking legal framework to position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy, promote innovation, and improve stakeholder engagement across the board.