Stakeholders Seek Urgent Overhaul of Telecom Law to Meet Digi...

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry have called for an urgent review of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 to address outdated provisions and better align with the realities of today’s digital economy.

Speaking at a high-level colloquium in Lagos hosted by the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, experts, regulators, and lawmakers argued that the 22-year-old law no longer accommodates emerging technologies or the complex security and infrastructure needs of the sector.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said while the NCA was transformative at its inception, current technological advancements and digital threats demand bold legislative reforms.

“The Act was groundbreaking in 2003, but we must now reposition our legal framework to keep pace with innovations like 5G, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity threats,” Maida stated. He also noted rural connectivity gaps, inflation, and infrastructure costs as major obstacles undermining sectoral progress.

House Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Peter Akpatason, stressed the need for a regulatory overhaul to confront digital exclusion and foster investment in future technologies. He said a modernised Act would help attract investment, protect consumers, and enable Nigeria to compete globally in the digital space.

The colloquium, themed “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003, 22 Years After: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria,” brought together regulators, industry players, academics, and lawmakers to explore how the legislation can evolve to support innovation.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, in a keynote delivered by Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, underscored the economic significance of the sector, citing international benchmarks linking broadband penetration with GDP growth. He warned that rising cybercrime and digital distrust could stall progress if legislative reforms lag behind.

The House also highlighted ongoing efforts to align legal frameworks with digital realities, including the Cybercrime Act (2015), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023), and proposed bills such as the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill.

Stakeholders concluded by calling for comprehensive legislative updates to spur public-private partnerships, support digital innovation, and ensure equitable access to telecom services across both urban and rural communities.