The Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) has kicked off plans to evaluate the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003, citing the necessity to align it with evolving technological realities and Nigeria’s digital aspirations.
Talking at a Colloquium held on Tuesday in Lagos, Govt Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, stated the two-decade-old regulation has turn into more and more disconnected from the calls for of at present’s tech-driven financial system.
Maida highlighted that transformative applied sciences resembling Synthetic Intelligence (AI), 5G, Web of Issues (IoT), quantum computing, and blockchain are driving structural modifications within the communications sector.
Nevertheless, the present Act doesn’t totally deal with the alternatives and dangers posed by these improvements.
“The truth of 2025 calls for we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future. A revised Communications Act should anticipate alternatives, not merely reply to challenges,” Maida stated.
Addressing telecom challenges
He additionally famous that the regulation wants to deal with persistent challenges, together with poor energy provide, expensive Proper of Method (RoW) approvals, rising working bills, and restricted broadband attain in rural areas.
- Regardless of its limitations, Maida praised the prevailing Act for dismantling monopolies and making a degree enjoying discipline in Nigeria’s telecommunications business.
- These reforms, he famous, have led to exponential development in cellular subscriptions—from underneath 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million at present—in addition to a surge in web penetration and the rise of a digital financial system.
- He identified that the sector now contributes about 14% to Nigeria’s GDP, pushed by improvements resembling cellular banking, e-commerce, and e-learning, which have reshaped the lives of thousands and thousands of Nigerians.
Stakeholder collaboration
The NCC boss counseled the Nationwide Meeting for spearheading the evaluate course of and pledged the Fee’s continued partnership with lawmakers, business gamers, and worldwide companions to design a future-ready regulatory framework.
- Additionally talking on the occasion, Chairman of the Home Committee on Communications, Peter Akpatason, emphasised the strategic significance of the evaluate and the necessity to revisit the Act’s effectiveness after twenty years.
- He harassed the urgency of addressing 5G deployment, AI regulation, cybersecurity, and the digital divide.
He known as on stakeholders to interact in significant dialogue and supply insights that may inform coverage reforms geared toward making a extra inclusive and resilient digital financial system.
Home Speaker reaffirms legislative assist
Additionally talking on the occasion, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Deputy Whip Isiaka Ayokunle, stated the communications sector stays important to Nigeria’s financial and social growth.
- Abbas acknowledged features made via e-commerce and cellular monetary providers, however warned of rising cybersecurity threats that would undermine progress.
- He highlighted current legislative efforts such because the Cybercrime Act, Nigerian Knowledge Safety Act, and Startup Act, geared toward bolstering digital belief and innovation.
- He expressed optimism that the colloquium would generate actionable suggestions to information amendments to the Communications Act and strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory panorama.
Extra insights
The occasion, themed “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After — Challenges, Alternatives and Future Instructions for a Digital Nigeria”, introduced collectively lawmakers, regulators, and business stakeholders to look at the Act’s relevance in a fast-changing digital panorama.
The 2-day colloquium is predicted to supply sturdy discussions amongst consultants, legislators, and business leaders. Outcomes from the classes will assist form a contemporary authorized framework that helps Nigeria’s ambition to turn into a globally aggressive digital financial system.
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