Nigeria’s federal government has started a comprehensive review of the country’s telecommunications policy for the first time in 26 years.
The review aims to drive digital economy expansion, increase broadband penetration, strengthen infrastructure protection, and support an estimated N1.6 trillion ($1 billion) rise in tax revenue alongside nearly two million new jobs.
The planned overhaul of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000 dominated discussions at a policy review workshop organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission in Lagos on Wednesday.
The event brought together government officials, regulators, telecom operators and industry stakeholders.
Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, said the review had become necessary because of the rapid transformation of the telecommunications sector since the policy was introduced in 2000.
She said telecommunications had evolved from primarily voice services into critical infrastructure supporting economic growth and sectors including fintech, e-commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, innovation, security and public services.
Usman said the original policy successfully liberalised the sector, attracted private investment and encouraged competition, but added that current realities required a modern framework capable of addressing emerging digital economy demands.
Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, said the West African country's telecom industry had expanded significantly since liberalisation.
Before reforms began, the country had fewer than 500 000 active telephone lines serving a population of more than 120 million people.
Maida said the sector still faces challenges including fibre cuts, vandalism, high energy costs, multiple taxation, permit delays and rural connectivity gaps.
He added that Nigeria was entering a new regulatory phase shaped by technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, cloud infrastructure, the Internet of Things and cybersecurity.
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