NCC unveils Regulatory Impact Assessment Report, lists gains
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has presented the outcome of its Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on Subsidiary Legislation 2024. The event, which the Commission described as a milestone in its rulemaking process, underscored its dedication to fostering a transparent, fair, and consumer-focused telecommunications ecosystem through participatory regulatory engagement.
The RIA assessed the efficiency and impact of key subsidiary legislations governing the Nigerian Communications Sector, focusing on areas such as: licensing, SIM registration, subscriber management, spectrum trading, enforcement procedures and infrastructure sharing. The assessment identified opportunities to streamline processes, clarify obligations, and remove outdated provisions that may hinder innovation or investment.
In his opening remarks, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, highlighted the RIA’s alignment with the Commission’s three strategic focus areas: consumers, licensees and the market, and government objectives.
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The NCC EVC stated that Consumers are at the heart of the Commission’s regulatory efforts, stressing that the RIA evaluated the impact of these legislations on consumer satisfaction and Quality of Experience (QoE). “It goes without mention that the Commission places consumers at the centre of its regulation of the telecommunications industry. They are key to the issuance and implementation of our Subsidiary Legislations”, he stated.
The assessment also examined how these regulations affect licensees and market dynamics, aiming to reduce barriers to entry, promote fair competition, and optimize the use of scarce resources. Additionally, the RIA analyzed the legislations’ role in advancing government policies and national objectives.
Maida described the RIA process as an innovative step for the NCC, in providing stakeholders—consumers, industry players, and government representatives—with a platform to offer feedback and suggest improvements. The essence of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), he said, is to provide the telecommunications ecosystem with opportunities to participate in evaluating regulations which when drafted well, safeguard the public interest, stimulate innovations and facilitate investment in the Market.
Earlier in her address, Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in building a regulatory environment that supports innovation, fairness, and transparency. The outcomes of the RIA will guide the Commission’s regulatory review and reform agenda, forming the basis for amending and updating relevant subsidiary legislation to better align with current realities and future aspirations.
The forum called for continued collaboration to enhance consumer trust, provide regulatory clarity, and ensure the adaptability of subsidiary legislations.
