The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000, nearly three decades after its approval, citing rapid technological change and evolving market realities.
The Commission announced the review on Monday with the release of a consultation paper inviting stakeholders to submit inputs on proposed updates to the policy.
According to the NCC, the review is aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s telecommunications framework to reflect developments in digital services, internet governance, satellite communications, broadband expansion and universal access, while sustaining the sector’s role as a major contributor to economic growth.
The Commission noted that the 2000 policy itself replaced an earlier framework that had become obsolete and introduced market liberalisation, competition and a unified regulatory structure under the NCC.
“Prior to the liberalisation midwifed by the NTP, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector was dominated by the state-owned Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), characterised by obsolete equipment, poor service quality and low teledensity,” the Commission said.
The policy paved the way for GSM licensing in 2001 and 2002, which transformed the sector, drove rapid subscriber growth and led to the enactment of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
However, the NCC said the policy has now been overtaken by new realities, including platform-based digital services, broadband-dependent applications and emerging non-terrestrial networks.
As part of the review, the Commission is proposing updates to Chapter Seven on the Internet to address online safety, content moderation, digital platforms and internet exchange protocols.
Chapter Eight on Satellite Communications will also be revised to create a modern framework for satellite harmonisation, spectrum mapping and coexistence between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
In addition, Chapter Ten on Financing and Funding will be reviewed to reflect current fiscal and monetary conditions, including ongoing tax reforms.
The NCC is also proposing a new chapter focused on broadband targets, protection of critical national communications infrastructure, harmonisation of right-of-way charges and the introduction of a one-stop permitting process for telecom infrastructure deployment.
Despite the sector’s growth, the Commission acknowledged that high right-of-way costs remain a major challenge. NCC data shows that telecom operators’ operating costs rose by 85% to N5.85 trillion in 2024, driven largely by right-of-way charges.
