By George Ozalla
L-R – Engr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki , Executive Secretary WATRA; Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission; Hon. Clarence K. Massaquoi, Chairman Board of Commissioners, Liberia Telecommunications Authority; Kelechi Nwankwo, Director Corporate planning, strategy and Risk Management(NCC); Hon. Ben Fofana, Commissioner with oversight responsibility for Licensing and Regulation (LTA); Usman Mamman Director, Licensing & Authorization (NCC) during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja on 30th January, 2026.
The Nigerian Communications Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration and digital integration among telecommunications regulators in the West African sub-region.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, restated this position when the NCC hosted a high-level delegation from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority at its headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking through the Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, Maida said the Commission remains committed to sustained collaboration with sister regulatory institutions within the sub-region and beyond as part of efforts to deepen the digital economy and improve living conditions across member states.
He noted that the NCC, through platforms such as the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly, has consistently promoted regional cooperation, stressing that the region stands to gain more when countries are interconnected through reliable and affordable communications infrastructure.
Maida further emphasized that collaboration remains a core priority of the NCC Board, adding that continuous engagement with regional partners is essential to protecting the interests of telecommunications consumers and industry stakeholders.
He recalled the Commission’s advocacy for the recognition of information and communications technology as critical national infrastructure within the Economic Community of West African States, noting that Nigeria has already designated ICT as part of its critical national information infrastructure framework to support sustainable growth.
The NCC boss assured the Liberian delegation of the Commission’s readiness to support shared regional initiatives and to translate discussions into practical outcomes that will benefit the sub-region.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Hon. Clarence Massaquoi, commended the NCC for its openness to regional coordination, describing the engagement as vital to strengthening regulatory effectiveness across West Africa.
Massaquoi acknowledged Nigeria’s role as the region’s largest economy and a key player in Africa’s communications and security landscape, noting that developments in Nigeria often have ripple effects across other West African countries.
He disclosed that the Liberian regulator has prioritized stronger ties with regional institutions since his assumption of office, explaining that effective regional integration under ECOWAS depends largely on affordable and reliable communications services, particularly in addressing cross-border roaming challenges.
Massaquoi said Liberia has signed bilateral telecommunications agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire and is advancing discussions with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry, while remaining committed to active participation in WATRA.
He also sought the NCC’s support in regulatory capacity building and the sharing of best practices, especially as Liberia reviews its licensing regime to accommodate emerging technologies and align with regional standards.
Both regulators reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening collaboration, identifying priority areas of engagement, and advancing initiatives aimed at promoting seamless connectivity, regional integration, and socio-economic development across West Africa.
The Nigerian Communications Commission is Nigeria’s telecoms regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the communications sector and promoting fair competition, consumer protection, and sustainable industry growth.
