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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and the legal community to effectively drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking at the inaugural Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Sector held in Ikeja, Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized that regulatory success in the digital era demands a unified, “Whole-of-Government” approach.
“Synergy in regulating communications is not optional — it is essential,” Dr. Maida asserted. “No sector, especially one as dynamic as communications, can thrive under fragmented oversight. We must work together to drive innovation, inclusivity, and economic development.”
The workshop brought together legal and regulatory stakeholders to address the evolving complexities in Nigeria’s communications landscape, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and broadband expansion. A key objective of the gathering was to review the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 and ensure its alignment with present-day digital realities.
Dr. Maida highlighted the need to harmonize taxes and levies within the communications sector, warning that disjointed taxation structures across federal and state levels continue to deter investment and stifle innovation. He also called for greater efforts to resolve jurisdictional overlaps between regulatory bodies to enhance legal clarity and operational efficiency.
Referencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Order that designated telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the NCC chief noted that the Commission is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to develop and implement robust security frameworks to protect critical digital assets.
“Our legal officers must not only interpret the law — they must help shape the enabling legal framework where governance and technology meet,” Maida remarked, underscoring the growing legal and ethical dimensions of digital governance.
He traced the evolution of Nigeria’s communications regulatory framework from the sector’s liberalisation in the early 2000s to current challenges involving AI oversight and cyber resilience. According to him, Nigeria’s ability to navigate these shifts depends on collaborative, forward-thinking regulatory models.
Dr. Maida expressed optimism that the workshop would evolve into a recurring platform for meaningful engagement, shared learning, and stronger collaboration between legal institutions and regulators.
“The NCC is fully committed to working with Attorneys-General and legal practitioners across the country to align regulatory frameworks with national development priorities,” he concluded. “What we achieve together in this room will echo across the digital future of Nigeria.”
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