Abuja.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled the findings of its first-ever Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) covering eight major subsidiary legislations that govern Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The presentation, held in Abuja on Thursday, marks a significant step toward modernising the country’s regulatory landscape in line with emerging technologies, market trends, and national policy priorities.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at NCC, described the RIA as “an evolutionary change in the Commission’s rule-making process.”
“This assessment is the product of rigorous analysis and stakeholder engagement. It reflects our commitment to evidence-based regulation and continuous improvement.
*The RIA allowed us to identify what is working, what needs enhancement, and where regulatory bottlenecks are stifling innovation or investment,”she said.
The reviewed instruments according to her,include:Annual Operating Levy Regulations (2022),Licensing Regulations (2019),Enforcement Processes Regulations (2019)nand Guidelines on SIM Registration, Spectrum Trading, National Roaming, SIM Replacement, and Infrastructure Sharing
Among the key insights: while the review of the Annual Operating Levy Regulations led to a 22.9% increase in levy collections, overall compliance dipped from 28% to 26% in 2023.
Other findings highlighted outdated provisions, lack of clarity in some regulations, and the need for more flexible licensing models,especially to accommodate startups.
Dr. Aminu Maida, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, underscored that the RIA aligns with the Commission’s strategic focus on the consumer, the market, and government policy.
“The essence of the RIA is to provide the telecom ecosystem with a voice in regulatory evaluation and a.well-crafted regulations safeguard public interest, stimulate innovation, and attract investment,”Maida said. “
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to a fair, transparent, and consumer-focused telecom sector, noting that recommendations from the assessment will directly inform future reforms.
Among the RIA’s key recommendations are: Introduced tiered licensing models to enhance inclusivity,Embed post-approval compliance reviews in spectrum trading,Expand non-physical options for SIM registration and replacement and develop ment of a clear compliance roadmap for operators
Others are plans for NCC in Looking ahead to:Deepen stakeholder engagement,
Boost capacity building for regulators and operators and
Establish mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of regulatory tools
The Commission restated its pledge to evolve with the fast-changing digital landscape by crafting flexible, innovation-friendly, and consumer-protective policies that will drive Nigeria’s telecom growth.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
