NCC Calls for Stakeholder Input on Review of National Telecommunications Policy 2000

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has invited industry stakeholders to submit written contributions as it begins the formal review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000.

In a public notice, the Commission announced that a consultation paper has been published on its website, marking the first stage of a structured public consultation process.

Stakeholders have until Friday, March 20, 2026, to submit their memoranda to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Commission or via email at stakeholders@ncc.gov.ng

Legal Basis for the Review

The consultation is being conducted pursuant to Section 24 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, which mandates public consultation before the formulation or review of any general policy governing the communications sector.

Section 24 (1) states:

“Prior to the formulation or review of the general policy for the Nigerian communications sector, the Minister shall cause the Commission on his behalf to first carry out a public consultative process on the proposed policy formulation or modification.”

The review follows the inauguration of a Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) and a Ministerial Technical Committee (MTC) by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to commence the process.

Why the Policy Is Being Reviewed

The NTP 2000, introduced 25 years ago, laid the foundation for liberalisation, competition, and private sector participation in Nigeria’s telecom sector. It replaced the 1998 policy and paved the way for the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, the policy has been instrumental in transforming Nigeria’s telecom landscape:

From just 500,000 active lines in 2000

To nearly 180 million active mobile connections as of December 2026

However, evolving realities — including rapid data consumption, broadband expansion, emerging technologies, spectrum management challenges, net neutrality debates, quality of service concerns, and national security considerations — have created new regulatory demands.

“The NTP 2000 has been instrumental to advancing Nigeria’s telecom sector from where it was 25 years ago… One of the gaps that the revised policy seeks to address is the increased demand for data services and its externalities,” Maida stated.

What to Expect in the New NTP 2026

The consultation process will guide the development of the first draft of the NTP 2026, which will replace the current policy framework.

The revised policy will align with the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint titled:

“Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency.”

Key focus areas include:

Spectrum management

Universal access and inclusion

Broadband penetration

Net neutrality

Quality of Service (QoS)

Industry sustainability

Regulation of emerging technologies

National security considerations

There are currently 15 key policy proposals forming the baseline for review and potential amendments.

After the initial draft is developed, it will undergo further stakeholder engagement before being subjected to statutory approval and validation processes.

A Call for Broad Participation

The NCC emphasised that the consultation is open to:

Telecom licensees

Consumers

Government agencies

International partners

Civil Society Organisations

Industry associations

Individuals and other interested stakeholders

Maida urged all parties to participate actively in shaping the future direction of Nigeria’s communications sector.

“This is a first step in the consultation process and there will be other layers of engagements, to ensure that the final draft accommodates varied expertise, feedback and inputs from a cross section of stakeholders,” he said.

The Bigger Picture

The review of the NTP 2000 represents a generational policy reset.

Nigeria’s telecom sector has evolved from basic voice telephony to a data-driven digital economy powering fintech, e-commerce, government digitisation, remote work, and 5G infrastructure.

As the country positions itself for deeper broadband penetration and advanced digital services, the new NTP 2026 is expected to define the regulatory and investment climate for the next decade.