In a quiet conference room in Abuja on June 26, 2025, something far more powerful than words unfolded – a recalibration of Nigeria’s telecommunications future.
At first glance, it might have looked like just another regulatory announcement, but beneath the surface, it was a bold declaration: Nigeria’s telecom laws must evolve — and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is leading that change.
This was the unveiling of the first-ever Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) by the NCC — a rigorous, data-driven review of eight key regulatory instruments guiding the nation’s digital lifeline.
At the center of this transformation stood Mrs. Chizua Whyte, the NCC’s head of Legal and Regulatory Services. Standing before a room filled with stakeholders, policy experts, and media, she didn’t mince words.
“This is a transformational shift in how we create rules,” she said. “It’s about smarter, evidence-based regulation — not just process, but purpose.”
The Review that Reached Beneath the Surface
The RIA took a microscope to some of the Commission’s most critical regulatory tools:
- Annual Operating Levy Regulations (2022)
- Licensing Regulations (2019)
- Enforcement Processes Regulations (2019)
- Guidelines on SIM registration, spectrum trading, SIM replacement, national roaming, and infrastructure sharing
It wasn’t just about checking boxes. It was about asking deeper questions: What’s working? What’s outdated? What’s slowing innovation?
The answers surprised even the Commission. One finding revealed a 22.9% increase in levy collection after updating the Annual Operating Levy Regulations — proof that smart reform delivers results.
But there were warning signs too: compliance dropped from 28% in 2022 to 26% in 2023. That dip told a story of confusion, friction, and the urgent need for clarity.
A Conversation, Not a Command
Unlike traditional rule-making, the RIA brought stakeholders to the table. From telcos and tech startups to legal experts and consumer advocates, everyone had a voice.
That’s what Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the NCC, called a “participatory approach.”
“This is not about enforcement for its own sake,” he explained. “It’s about building a regulatory environment that protects consumers, supports innovation, and aligns with national policy goals.”
And the recommendations were as forward-looking as the process:
- Tiered licensing models to accommodate emerging players and startups
- A compliance roadmap that clears the fog around regulatory expectations
- Enhanced post-approval checks for spectrum trading
- Wider use of digital tools for SIM registration and replacement
Regulation that Moves with the Market
As Nigeria’s digital economy races forward — with 5G rollouts, smart cities, and a wave of fintech innovation — the NCC knows it cannot afford to lag behind.
The Commission is now committing to:
- More stakeholder consultations
- Stronger capacity-building programs for staff and industry players
- Making regulatory evaluation a continuous loop, not a one-off event
In the words of Mrs. Whyte, “Regulation is no longer about control — it’s about enabling growth and safeguarding the future.”
The Bigger Picture
The Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) by NCC isn’t just a document. It’s a compass — one pointing toward a telecommunications sector that is smarter, more agile, and deeply responsive to the realities of both the marketplace and the average Nigerian.
With this move, Nigeria is not just rewriting its rules. It’s rewriting the story of how regulation, innovation, and inclusion can coexist — and thrive — in a digital future.
