By George Ozalla
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has commenced the review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000 and invited industry stakeholders to submit written contributions.
Stakeholders are to send submissions to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO or via the dedicated email: stakeholders@ncc.gov.ng by Friday, March 20, 2026. The consultation marks the first step in updating the policy after 25 years of implementation.
The review follows the inauguration of a Ministerial Steering Committee and a Ministerial Technical Committee by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. It is conducted under Section 24 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which requires public consultation before policy formulation or amendment.
Dr. Maida said the review will produce the NTP 2026, addressing spectrum management, broadband penetration, net neutrality, quality of service, and other sectoral challenges. The process is open to licensees, consumers, government agencies, civil society organizations, international partners, and other stakeholders.
According to a press statement signed by Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs at NCC, the consultation will inform the drafting of a policy aligned with emerging technologies, regulatory requirements, national security, and the growth of Nigeria’s telecom sector, which has expanded from 500,000 lines in 2000 to nearly 180 million active mobile connections by December 2025.
The Commission said 15 key policy proposals will guide the review, and stakeholders are urged to participate in shaping the policy to guide the sector for the next quarter-century.
