Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has inaugurated its first-ever Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General, across Nigeria on emerging challenges and collaborative regulation within the communications sector to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has inaugurated its first-ever Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General, across Nigeria on emerging challenges and collaborative regulation within the communications sector to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
Under the theme, “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria,” the workshop sought to identify regulatory gaps and strengthen coordination mechanisms across federal and state levels to enhance Nigeria’s communications framework.
The workshop aimed at catalyzing reforms in the outdated Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, aligning regulatory frameworks with cutting-edge technologies and evolving consumer needs. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence governance, 5G infrastructure rollout, and stronger data protection protocols.
READ ALSO:
NCC unveils Draft General Authorisation Framework, lauds rise in broadband penetration
Delivering the keynote address, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, outlined critical issues confronting the sector, including the burden of multiple taxes and levies from various government levels, rampant destruction of telecommunications infrastructure, and overlapping regulatory authorities.
He stressed the urgent need for unified action and collaboration among stakeholders to confront these challenges and improve regulatory effectiveness, thereby fostering socio-economic growth.
Citing notable setbacks—including the 2023 vandalism of base stations in Kano and the tax conflicts in Ogun State—Chief Fagbemi described these incidents as economic sabotage and called for unified legal responses.
He also spotlighted Anambra State’s Right-of-Way policy, which led to a 38% increase in fibre optic deployment, urging other states to emulate such progressive approaches.
Major highlight of the workshop was the reaffirmation of telecom networks as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), officially designated under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Order. This new status demands heightened protection and robust legal support.
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, underscored the necessity of a Whole-of-Government approach. He emphasized leveraging collective institutional strengths to achieve seamless regulation. Key workshop topics included reviewing the Nigerian Communications Act, tax harmonization, resolving regulatory overlaps, and safeguarding Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
Participants are expected to implement strategies promoting synergy in communications regulation, such as harmonizing legal and policy frameworks, establishing a Federal-State regulatory coordination forum, standardizing Right of Way (ROW) policy enforcement, jointly protecting infrastructure, and consolidating digital taxation systems.
This initiative underscores the NCC’s commitment to fostering a closer partnership with the legal community, aligning regulatory practices with Nigeria’s national development goals, and steering the communications sector toward a digitally empowered future that delivers broad socio-economic benefits.
