NCC Sets March 20 Deadline to Overhaul 25-Year-Old Telecom Policy
ABUJA — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially triggered the countdown for a total structural overhaul of the nation’s telecommunications framework. In a statement released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the commission fixed March 20 as the terminal date for stakeholders to submit inputs on the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) review. This move seeks to replace the existing NTP 2000, which has governed the sector since the dawn of Nigeria’s democratic era. Consequently, the NCC is acting under Section 24(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to ensure the new “NTP 2026” reflects modern digital realities. The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, noted that while the old policy midwifed the GSM revolution, it has reached its natural expiration.
The ongoing review aligns with the strategic blueprint of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. His mandate, titled “Accelerating Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency,” prioritizes qualitative optimization over mere quantitative expansion. Furthermore, the ministerial committees are currently weighing 15 key policy proposals that will form the baseline for the new draft. These proposals target critical gaps in spectrum management, net neutrality, and the surging demand for broadband-dependent applications. While it is true that the NTP 2000 dismantled the state monopoly of NITEL, it lacked provisions for a data-centric, AI-driven economy. Indeed, the new framework will introduce a dedicated chapter on protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure to curb persistent vandalism.
The NCC is under pressure to resolve the “multiple taxation” quagmire that currently stifles major telecom operators. The consultation paper suggests a “One-Stop” permitting process to harmonize right-of-way charges across federal, state, and local governments. In a related development, the review will integrate non-terrestrial networks, such as low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, into the national broadband architecture. Granted, Nigeria has achieved over 50% broadband penetration, but the urban-rural divide remains a significant barrier to digital inclusion. Notably, the revised policy will also replace the “Restructuring and Privatization” chapter with a fresh focus on “Manpower and Capacity Development.”
Significantly, the NCC expects the first draft of the NTP 2026 to undergo several layers of public validation before its final statutory approval. Above all, the commission seeks to address the “externalities” of the digital economy, including online safety and child protection protocols. Subsequently, all submissions must be addressed to the Executive Vice-Chairman via the dedicated stakeholders’ email channel. Although the sector contributes over 16% to the national GDP, stakeholders argue that outdated regulations currently limit further foreign direct investment.
Finally, the 2026 review represents a “structural recalibration” rather than a routine update. Therefore, the NCC has invited licensees, civil society organizations, and international partners to take ownership of this legislative transition. As a result of this exercise, Nigeria aims to position itself in the top 25% percentile of global research in key technology areas by 2030. The March 20 deadline serves as a pivotal gate for those wishing to shape the next quarter-century of Nigerian connectivity.