By George Ozalla
The House of Representatives has approved a total budget of ₦479.508 billion for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the 2026 fiscal year, in a decision aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy and expanding telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the House Committee on Communications during plenary, after lawmakers conducted a clause-by-clause examination of the proposal at the Committee of Supply.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter Akpatason, explained that the budget is drawn from the Statutory Revenue Fund of the NCC, which is funded through regulatory earnings within the telecommunications sector. These include licensing fees, spectrum charges, annual operating levies, and other industry-related inflows.
According to the approved breakdown, ₦124.44 billion is allocated to recurrent expenditure, covering personnel costs and day-to-day operations of the commission, while ₦26.77 billion is set aside for capital projects designed to support infrastructure and institutional efficiency.
The lawmakers also approved ₦32.01 billion for special intervention programmes, which will focus on initiatives such as emergency communications infrastructure, network quality monitoring, and digital inclusion efforts targeted at underserved communities.
In addition, ₦20 billion was approved for transfer to the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), a key intervention mechanism for expanding telecommunications access to rural and remote areas where connectivity remains limited. A further ₦276.28 billion is expected to be remitted to the Federal Government as surplus revenue.
Members of the House noted that the approval reflects the legislature’s commitment to deepening broadband penetration, improving quality of service in the telecommunications sector, and supporting wider digital skills development across Nigeria.
The Nigerian Communications Commission, as the country’s apex telecom regulator, is expected to deploy the approved funds toward strengthening regulatory oversight, improving industry compliance, and advancing Nigeria’s broader transition into a more inclusive and technology-driven economy.
