The Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, has reaffirmed the Commission’s zero-tolerance position on call masking, insisting that the practice remains unacceptable and would continue to attract heavy regulatory sanctions.

Rising from its 110th meeting held on September 9, 2026, the Board observed that call masking undermines legitimate telecommunications operations, distorts industry revenues and constitutes an act of economic sabotage capable of adversely impacting the national economy, and therefore remains unacceptable.

The Board reiterated the Commission’s resolve to collaborate with relevant security and law-enforcement agencies, as well as industry stakeholders, to identify, prevent and eliminate call masking activities.

It further noted the report on the resurgence of call masking activities within the telecommunications industry and expressed concern over the implications for the integrity, security and orderly development of the telecommunications ecosystem.

The Board had in the course of the meeting received updates on strategic priorities, operational performance and market developments as part of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO’s Report. It also considered key regulatory and industry matters affecting the telecommunications sector.

The Board noted the earlier public communication arising from its 109th Meeting regarding the commitment by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deploy additional infrastructure towards expanding network coverage, capacity and Quality of Experience.

The Board further noted that 8,526 out of the 12,179 committed coverage and capacity sites have now been deployed across the country, representing approximately 70per cent of the communicated commitments. This reflects accelerated progress from the approximately 5,000 sites reported at the last meeting.

Despite this progress, the Board noted that fibre cuts contributed to a sharp rise in network disruptions in June, underscoring the need for infrastructure expansion to be matched by stronger protection of critical communications infrastructure. The Board emphasised the need for continued focus on network resilience and service reliability

The Board noted Management’s update on the Commission’s deployment of technology platforms to strengthen trust, security and integrity within Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem and the broader digital economy.

The Board noted that the Device Management System (DMS) is now live and is supporting enhanced type approval compliance through technology. The DMS will improve the Commission’s ability to verify device compliance, discourage the circulation of non-compliant devices and support efforts to deter mobile device theft by enabling reported stolen devices to be blocked across Nigerian networks.

The Board further noted that the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), together with its associated business rules, is scheduled to go live in October 2026. TIRMS will strengthen the governance of telecommunications identities, including mobile numbers, and reduce risks associated with the misuse, reassignment or recycling of such identities, particularly as they are increasingly linked to financial, social and other digital services.

The Board reaffirmed the importance of deploying these regulatory technology platforms in a manner that protects consumers, supports lawful digital services, strengthens market integrity and remains consistent with applicable legal, privacy and data protection requirements.

The Board reviewed the progress made by Management in its engagement with industry players and relevant stakeholders towards developing a framework for zero- rating educational platforms and content in Nigeria.

The Board noted that the initiative is aimed at promoting digital inclusion and enhancing access to educational resources for students. It commended the valuable collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in supporting the initiative.

The Board further noted that the initiative will be officially launched on September 10, 2026, with the Go-Live date scheduled for October 1, 2026. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the sustainable implementation of the initiative.

The Board considered the report and recommendations on the proposed repositioning of the Digital Bridge Institute DBI, including the development of a strategic roadmap to strengthen its relevance and long-term sustainability.

The Board noted the proposed phased approach to the repositioning exercise and the proposal for two independent consultancies to support the process. The first consultancy will undertake a comprehensive audit of DBI’s structure, operations, human resources and institutional position. The second will assess the commercial and legal viability of the proposed repositioning initiative.

A highpoint of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the Board’s commitment to stakeholders to ensure that the Commission continues to promote transparency in its operations and pursue regulatory actions that support network resilience, digital trust, inclusive connectivity, consumer protection, fair competition and the sustainable growth of the digital economy in the country.