The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications industry stakeholders are working to remove structural barriers and establish a new framework for delivering more reliable and sustainable services to Nigerians.
The push comes amid growing demand for data, increased pressure on network infrastructure and persistent concerns over the quality of telecommunications services across the country.
The NCC has made quality of service, network resilience and consumer protection key priorities as it works with operators and other stakeholders to reshape the sector.
At the centre of the effort is a broader shift from traditional regulatory oversight towards a more collaborative approach involving government institutions, operators, infrastructure providers and consumers.
NCC Seeks New Direction for Telecoms Sector
NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, said the telecommunications industry has evolved significantly since the introduction of Nigeria’s National Telecommunications Policy in 2000.
He said telecommunications is no longer simply a standalone sector because it now supports virtually every part of the economy.
These include digital finance, e-commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, public services, cybersecurity and innovation.
Maida made the point during the review of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000, where stakeholders examined the framework needed to guide the industry’s next phase.
He said regulation must evolve from simply overseeing telecommunications services to enabling broader digital transformation.
The review is intended to help Nigeria develop a forward-looking telecommunications policy that reflects current technology, consumer expectations and economic realities.
Quality Service Remains a Major Concern
The push for a new direction comes against persistent complaints about poor network quality.
Subscribers have continued to report dropped calls, slow data speeds, network interruptions and other service challenges.
The NCC has responded by strengthening its quality-of-service monitoring and introducing more data-driven assessments of network performance.
Its network performance programme, conducted in partnership with Ookla, provides quarterly assessments of network quality and user experience across operators, states and regions.
The commission says the data is being used to identify service gaps and guide interventions in areas requiring network optimisation and infrastructure expansion.
This approach is intended to move quality-of-service discussions beyond complaints and towards measurable performance indicators.
Operators Under Pressure to Improve Networks
Telecommunications operators are also being pushed to increase investment in network infrastructure.
The NCC’s board reported in May that mobile network operators had planned the deployment of more than 12,000 additional coverage and capacity sites.
More than 5,000 had already been completed at the time of the board’s review.
The commission also reported that fibre connectivity had been extended to more than 700 sites, while infrastructure-sharing companies had deployed new equipment across more than 2,000 base stations.
The investments are aimed at increasing network capacity and improving reliability as data consumption continues to rise.
Data Demand Is Growing Rapidly
The pressure on telecommunications infrastructure is being intensified by rapid growth in data consumption.
According to the NCC, Nigeria’s monthly data consumption increased from about 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026.
That represents an increase of almost 47 per cent in one year.
Maida said sustaining that level of growth would require significant investment in network expansion, modernisation and quality-of-service improvements.
The increase reflects the growing dependence of Nigerians and businesses on mobile connectivity.
More people now use telecommunications networks for work, financial transactions, entertainment, education and access to government and commercial services.
Policy Review to Address Structural Barriers
The NCC’s review of the National Telecommunications Policy is intended to address some of the structural issues affecting the industry.
Government officials and industry stakeholders have identified infrastructure, investment, consumer protection, competition, digital skills, data governance and security among areas requiring stronger policy attention.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said a policy designed in 2000 could not simply be assumed to remain adequate in 2026.
She said Nigeria’s economic and technological environment had changed significantly since the policy was introduced.
According to her, the revised policy must reflect the country’s current digital economy and the expectations of citizens.
Government Wants Better Value for Telecom Consumers
The Federal Government has also placed pressure on operators to deliver better services following the telecommunications tariff adjustment.
Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani said the sector had suffered from years of underinvestment and infrastructure constraints.
He said the government had established longer-term measures involving nationwide fibre infrastructure, new tower deployment and expanded satellite capability.
Tijani also said operators must take necessary steps to resolve network challenges and deliver the quality of service Nigerians expect.
The minister said the NCC had been empowered to monitor performance, enforce service standards and ensure compliance.
He added that the government expected measurable improvements in call quality, data performance and coverage.
NCC Introduces Stronger Consumer Accountability
Consumer protection has become another major part of the NCC’s approach.
The commission directed mobile network operators to compensate subscribers affected by verified failures to meet prescribed quality-of-service standards.
The NCC’s board said more than 75 million affected subscribers had been offered compensation under the initiative as of its May review.
The commission said it was also independently validating operators’ claims to ensure eligible subscribers receive the appropriate compensation.
The approach represents a shift from relying mainly on regulatory fines towards making consumers directly part of the accountability process.
The commission has also directed infrastructure providers to reinvest certain regulatory fines into network improvements.
Infrastructure Security Remains Critical
Telecommunications infrastructure security is another barrier that stakeholders must address.
Fibre-optic cables, base stations and other network facilities are vulnerable to vandalism, theft and other forms of damage.
The NCC has acknowledged that infrastructure vandalism continues to affect industry operations.
The commission has been working with security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to strengthen protection of telecommunications infrastructure.
Telecommunications infrastructure has also been designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, increasing the emphasis on its protection.
Collaboration Becomes Central to the New Approach
The NCC’s emerging strategy places greater emphasis on collaboration.
The commission has called for stronger cooperation among operators, infrastructure companies, government agencies, state governments and other stakeholders.
This is particularly important because some of the problems affecting network quality cannot be solved by operators alone.
Issues such as electricity, fibre deployment, right-of-way approvals, vandalism and infrastructure sharing involve multiple institutions.
The policy review therefore provides an opportunity to establish clearer responsibilities across the telecommunications ecosystem.
What the New Direction Means for Nigerians
For consumers, the most important measure of the industry’s new direction will be whether network improvements become noticeable.
Better coverage, faster data speeds, fewer dropped calls and more reliable connectivity would directly affect households and businesses.
However, achieving those outcomes will require sustained investment.
It will also require effective regulation, infrastructure protection and cooperation between public authorities and private operators.
The NCC’s current approach suggests that quality of service will increasingly be measured through network data, consumer experience and compliance with defined standards.
A New Test for Nigeria’s Telecoms Industry
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has grown considerably since liberalisation transformed the industry.
However, the rapid expansion of digital services has created new demands on infrastructure and regulation.
The NCC’s policy review, network investments and consumer-focused measures are therefore part of a broader attempt to address those challenges.
For operators, the challenge is to translate investment into measurable improvements.
For regulators, it is to maintain a balance between industry sustainability, competition and consumer protection.
For government, the priority is to provide the infrastructure and policy environment needed for continued investment.
Ultimately, the success of the new direction will be measured by one outcome: whether Nigerians receive more reliable, affordable and higher-quality telecommunications services as the country’s digital economy continues to expand.
