Nigeria’s digital transformation hinges on seamless collaboration across all levels of government and the legal community, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), declared today.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Sector held at Ikeja, Lagos State, Dr. Maida underscored that “synergy in regulating communications” is not merely optional, but “essential” for unlocking the sector’s full potential and driving national development.
The NCC boss emphasized that no sector, particularly one as dynamic and impactful as communications, can be effectively regulated in isolation.
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He stressed the need for a “Whole-of-Government approach” that leverages the strengths of all federal and state institutions to tackle the growing complexities and capitalize on opportunities presented by accelerating digital transformation, underpinned by technologies such as AI, IoT, and high-speed connectivity. This unified front, he noted, is critical given the communications sector’s vital role as an enabler of innovation, commerce, governance, and inclusion.
The workshop, designed to address pressing contemporary issues, is set to review the Nigerian Communications Act (2003) to ensure its fitness for purpose in a rapidly evolving digital age. A significant focus will also be on streamlining taxation in the communications sector, as inconsistent levies continue to deter investment, necessitating a collaborative effort to harmonize tax regimes and remove disincentives to growth. Additionally, discussions will address fragmented regulatory overlaps, aiming to enhance coordination and legal clarity across various agencies.
Furthermore, Dr. Maida highlighted the critical importance of protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). Following the 2024 Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which designated communications infrastructure as CNII, the NCC is keen to operationalize a new framework for collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders. Attorneys-General, he affirmed, have a strategic role to play, not just in interpreting the law, but crucially, “in shaping an enabling legal environment where technology and governance work in tandem.”
Tracing the evolution of communications regulation from market liberalization in the early 2000s to today’s focus on AI governance and digital resilience, Dr. Maida reiterated that collaborative and forward-looking regulation remains constant in sustaining innovation and inclusive digital growth. He expressed hope that this maiden workshop would evolve into an annual platform for mutual understanding, knowledge exchange, and joint problem-solving, fostering stronger partnerships.
The NCC, Dr. Maida concluded, is firmly committed to working with the legal community to align regulatory actions with broader national goals. He voiced confidence that the conversations initiated at the workshop would yield valuable insights, recommendations, and solutions, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the Nigerian populace.
