The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all licensees that have implemented changes exceeding 10% in their shareholding structures without prior approval to regularize these infractions within 45 days.
This grace period, published on the NCC’s official website, is issued under the Commission’s powers as established by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
It covers any unapproved shareholding adjustments above the 10% threshold.
No sanctions will be applied for past violations during this 45-day window.
However, the NCC warns that appropriate penalties will be enforced immediately after the deadline against any defaulting operators, in accordance with the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes, etc.) Regulations, 2019.
The directive is based on Regulations 41, 42, and 43 of the Licensing Regulations, 2019, which require licensees to seek NCC approval before making significant changes in ownership or control.
Industry observers view this move as underscoring the NCC’s renewed commitment to regulatory compliance, transparency, and corporate governance within Nigeria’s telecom sector.
All affected licensees are advised to promptly engage with the Commission to correct their shareholding records and avoid penalties after the grace period expires.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
