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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a major review of key regulatory frameworksgoverning the nation’s telecommunications industry, aimed at tightening data protection, enhancing internet safety, and addressing emerging digital risks.
Speaking at a Public Inquiry in Abuja on the Licensing Regulations, Enforcement Processes Regulations, and the Internet Code of Practice, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the revisions are designed to ensure that Nigeria’s communications sector remains resilient, competitive, and secure in the face of rapid technological transformation.
Represented by the Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management, Ms. Rimini Makama, Maida explained that the updates were necessary to align regulatory oversight with evolving digital realities, noting that technological innovation has “revolutionised communications and is pushing the limits on established concepts.”
“The significance of this review cannot be overstated,” Maida said. “These instruments are essential to maintaining efficient operations within the communications industry and ensuring that service providers adhere to global standards of safety, transparency, and accountability.”
Enhanced Internet Code of Practice
The revised Internet Code of Practice, which will now take the form of a Guideline, introduces robust measures on open internet access, cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence (AI) usage by operators, child online safety, network governance, and anti-spam controls.
Maida noted that the new framework reflects Nigeria’s expanding digital ecosystem and the Commission’s responsibility to safeguard users’ rights while ensuring that service providers uphold the highest ethical and technical standards.
Streamlined Licensing and Stronger Enforcement
The NCC also announced key updates to the Licensing and Enforcement Regulations, focusing on ease of doing business, innovation enablement, compliance monitoring, and national security preservation.
“The revised licensing regulations streamline the application process, clarify obligations, and introduce new provisions on licence renewal, corporate restructuring, transfers, and sanctions,” Maida stated.
According to Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC (represented by Mr. Lawrence Abang, Head of Dispute and Litigation), the reform aligns with the Commission’s mandate to foster a secure and vibrant communications market that balances regulatory compliance with consumer protection.
“Compliance with laid-down rules and procedures is integral to our regulatory mandate,” Whyte said. “The updated framework ensures that enforcement mechanisms are legally sound, deterrent in nature, and effective in safeguarding stakeholder interests and market integrity.”
She emphasized that the Enforcement Processes Regulations will enhance the NCC’s capacity to address recurring infractions, such as pre-registered SIM cards and call masking, while expanding compliance requirements in light of emerging technologies.
Building Trust and Protecting the Digital Ecosystem
Whyte highlighted that the licensing framework is also being modernized to accommodate innovative business models, thereby boosting investor confidence and encouraging disruptive ideas in the sector.
She added that the revised Internet Code of Practice is critical to addressing online harms, including fake news, hate speech, and digital exploitation of vulnerable users.
“The internet has become the central hub of modern life, but without adequate safeguards, it also exposes society to risks like identity theft, cybercrime, and misinformation,” she said. “These updated instruments require operators to implement structures that protect users, maintain ethical standards, and preserve societal values.”
Inclusive, Transparent Regulatory Process
The NCC reaffirmed that the ongoing amendments follow six months of stakeholder consultation, reflecting its commitment to inclusive, transparent, and forward-looking regulation.
The Commission also noted that the reforms build upon existing frameworks — including the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes, etc.) Regulations 2005, Licensing Regulation 2019, and the Internet Code of Practice 2019 — to provide a comprehensive and adaptive compliance environment.
Through these measures, the NCC aims to fortify Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, protect consumer rights, and ensure a safe, trusted, and innovation-driven telecom ecosystem aligned with global standards and RegTech best practices.
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