Nigeria Begins Historic Review of Telecoms Policy to Improve Connectivity, Competition

By Paul Chimodo

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the first comprehensive review of the National Telecommunications Policy in more than two decades, a major step towards modernising the country’s telecom sector and expanding digital access nationwide.

The review, led by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aims to update the outdated 2000 policy to reflect the realities of today’s telecom landscape, which has shifted from early mobile adoption to a data-driven digital economy.

The NCC has released a public consultation document inviting input from industry stakeholders, operators, policymakers, and the public ahead of a draft policy expected later this year.

The 2000 policy was adopted before the introduction of GSM services and initially envisioned only about 1.2 million subscribers. Today, Nigeria’s telecom sector boasts tens of millions of subscribers and is a key driver of the digital economy.

Despite this growth, the sector still faces challenges including uneven broadband access, frequent network outages, infrastructure vandalism, low 5G adoption, and high operational costs. The policy review is intended to tackle these gaps and help Nigeria achieve more reliable and inclusive connectivity.

Key objectives in the revised telecom policy include updated goals suited to current market and technology conditions, a dedicated broadband chapter to expand internet access and protect infrastructure, and measures to encourage competition, investment, and fairness in the marketplace.

The consultation period will run until March 20, 2026, after which a draft of the updated National Telecommunications Policy will be prepared for further review.

Industry analysts and operators have welcomed the review, noting that a future-ready policy could attract new investment, improve service quality, and align Nigeria’s telecommunications framework with global standards. Policymakers say the review represents a necessary step toward a more competitive, connected, and digitally inclusive future for Nigeria.