The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set March 20 as the deadline for stakeholders to submit their memoranda regarding the review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000. This announcement was made by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, who encouraged industry participants and the public to engage in the consultation process via the Commission’s official website.
All contributions must be directed to the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission or sent to the dedicated email: stakeholders@ncc.gov.ng.
This policy review comes in the wake of the establishment of a Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) and a Ministerial Technical Committee (MTC), both led by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. Their objective is to revamp the policy framework that has remained unchanged for 25 years.
Key areas addressed in the updated policy will include spectrum management, universal access, broadband penetration, net neutrality, and service quality—factors that have evolved vastly since the original NTP was adopted.
Dr Aminu Maida, the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, indicated that this review will result in a preliminary draft of the NTP 2026, which will replace the current NTP 2000 after 25 years. This draft will undergo further stakeholder consultations before it receives statutory approval.
Maida emphasised the importance of feedback in navigating emerging challenges, such as increased data demand, and urged all licensees, consumers, government bodies, international allies, and civil society organisations to participate actively. The comprehensive review aims to meet the demands of Nigeria’s rapidly changing telecommunications landscape and to reflect diverse perspectives in shaping a robust policy for the nation’s future growth in the communication sector.
