In a landmark move to future-proof Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission has introduced a bold, innovation-driven licensing framework that promises to open new pathways for experimentation, investment, and inclusive growth in the digital economy.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ forum on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman/ CEO of the NCC, officially presented the Draft General Authorisation Framework, a flexible licensing regime designed to accommodate emerging technologies and novel service models that fall outside the scope of Nigeria’s existing telecom license structures.
Held in Lagos, the event convened captains of industry, technology innovators, telecom associations, mobile network operators, and regulatory experts to deliberate on the draft framework and explore collaborative pathways for implementation.
“Modern regulation must be designed to enable, not hinder, innovation,” Dr. Maida declared in his keynote address. “The General Authorisation Framework allows us to embrace the future with confidence while protecting consumer interests and ensuring market integrity.”
A Future-Focused Regulatory Revolution
The NCC’s General Authorisation Framework introduces three strategic regulatory pathways:
- Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Pilots – to allow innovators test the viability of new technologies in real-world conditions.
- Regulatory Sandbox – a controlled environment for supervised testing of breakthrough services, such as Open RAN deployments, AI-powered smart networks, and dynamic spectrum sharing.
- Interim Service Authorisation (ISA) – a temporary permit for emerging services pending full categorization under a licensing regime.
According to Dr. Maida, the framework aligns with the Commission’s core mandate of fostering a thriving digital ecosystem, while supporting national policy goals such as the National Broadband Plan, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and the NCA 2003.
“We are at a turning point,” he said. “Innovation in areas like 5G, blockchain, AI, and fintech is transforming how we live and work. Our regulatory model must now be agile enough to embrace these innovations while safeguarding users and the economy.”
Telecom Evolution Demands Agile Regulation
Providing deeper context for the policy shift, Usman Mamman, director of Licensing and Authorisation at NCC, who also addressed the gathering, noted that the framework emerged from extensive internal reviews, cross-departmental collaboration, and benchmarking with global regulatory bodies.
“We studied models like Ofcom’s Sandbox in the UK and IMDA’s testbeds in Singapore,” he noted. “We realised the growing volume of service applications and innovations that don’t neatly fit into our traditional licence categories. This framework provides a structured and safe path to support these ideas.”
The Director highlighted that the mechanisms introduced are time-bound, transparent, and data-driven, enabling the Commission to learn, adapt, and create permanent licence pathways that reflect evolving realities.
Why It Matters: A Telecom Sector on the Rise
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past two decades. As of May 2025, the country recorded teledensity of 79.65% and broadband penetration of 48.81%, with mobile services and data consumption soaring.
Meanwhile, Dr. Maida acknowledged that this success has positioned the sector as a key enabler of innovation and national development.
However, to sustain this momentum, regulation must keep pace with disruptive changes reshaping finance, education, commerce, and governance.
“This isn’t just about policy. It’s about building a resilient innovation value chain, nurturing homegrown solutions, and unlocking economic opportunities for startups and communities across Nigeria,” the EVC emphasized.
Stakeholders’ Role: Feedback, Partnership, Co-Creation
A recurring theme throughout the forum was collaborative governance. Both Dr. Maida and the Director of Licensing emphasized that the draft framework remains a living document, open to industry input and continuous refinement.
“This forum is not the end, it is the beginning of a broader engagement,” said the Director. “We welcome your ideas on structure, implementation, and opportunities for alignment with your business models.”
Participants from telcos, tech hubs, civil society, academia, and OEMs were encouraged to submit written feedback and engage in subsequent review sessions that will shape the final implementation.
What’s Next?
The NCC General Authorisation Framework is expected to catalyze a new wave of activity in Nigeria’s digital innovation space.
From youth-led startups to established players, the NCC aims to create an enabling environment where creativity thrives without compromising regulatory objectives.
“Let us work together to deepen innovation, expand access, and ensure that the dividends of digital transformation are felt in every corner of our nation,” Dr. Maida concluded.
As Nigeria races toward its digital future, the NCC’s forward-thinking approach to regulation may well define how Africa’s largest economy navigates the Fourth Industrial Revolution—with policy as a bridge, not a barrier.
