From left: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Hon. Midala Balami; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, Chairman, House Committee on Communications Hon. Peter Akpatason and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Barr. Rimini Makama during a two-day Colloquium on a Legislative Agenda on the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 on 29th April 2025, at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos on Tuesday.
NCC CEO, Maida, Calls for Urgent Review of Outdated 2003 Communications Act to Align with Future Digital Realities
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has emphasized the need for an immediate review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, stating that the over two-decade-old law no longer aligns with the demands of 2025 and beyond.
Speaking at a high-level Colloquium on Legislative Agenda in Lagos on Monday, Dr. Maida highlighted that rapid technological advancements and growing digital disparities have rendered many provisions of the Act obsolete. The event, themed “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society.
While acknowledging the Act’s transformative impact—such as boosting mobile subscriptions from under 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million today and contributing about 14% to Nigeria’s GDP by Q3 2024—Maida stressed the need for further progress.
“Progress is not a destination, but a journey,” he said. “The industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by AI, 5G, quantum computing, IoT, and blockchain. Our regulatory framework must evolve rapidly to sustain momentum and bridge the digital divide.”
He identified persistent challenges, including unreliable power supply, high Right of Way (RoW) costs, and rising operational expenses, which hinder digital infrastructure expansion, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, he raised concerns over cybersecurity threats and insufficient capital, noting that the current law fails to address the complexities of Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy.
“The realities of 2025 demand that we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future. A revised Communications Act must proactively anticipate opportunities, not just react to challenges,” Maida asserted.
He commended the National Assembly for initiating the dialogue and pledged the NCC’s commitment to collaborating with lawmakers, industry players, and international partners to craft a forward-looking legal framework.
Sources indicate that a legislative review may soon be underway as Nigeria aims to strengthen its position in the global digital economy.
The two-day colloquium, described by experts as pivotal for Nigeria’s digital future, focused on modernizing the 2003 Act. Notable attendees included Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Hon. Midala Balami; Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka; Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Hon. Peter Akpatason; and NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Barr. Rimini Makama.
The event underscored the importance of collaborative governance between regulators and legislators in shaping policies that drive innovation, safeguard consumer rights, and boost Nigeria’s digital economy.
About The Author
