From left: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Hon. Midala Balami; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, Chairman, House Committee on Communications Hon. Peter Akpatason and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Barr. Rimini Makama during a two-day Colloquium on a Legislative Agenda on the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 on 29th April 2025, at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos on Tuesday.

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, has proposed an urgent review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, describing the over 20-year old legislation as “increasingly misaligned with 2025 and future realities.”

Speaking at a high-level Colloquium on Legislative Agenda in Lagos on Monday, Dr. Maida noted that emerging technologies and growing connectivity disparities have rendered several provisions of the Act outdated.

The theme of the event was: “The Nigerian Communications Act 2003: 22 Years After – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria,” attracted key figures from government, industry, and civil society.

The NCC-boss however admitted that the legislation has had transformational impact on the country’s communications landscape, including the growth of mobile subscriptions from less than 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million presently, and the telecom sector’s contribution of approximately 14per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic GDP as at the end of third quarter of 2024.

 “Progress is not a destination, but a journey,” Maida stated. “The industry is experiencing a seismic shift driven by AI, 5G, quantum computing, IoT, and blockchain. Our regulatory framework must evolve just as quickly if we are to maintain momentum and close the digital divide.”

He lamented persistent structural barriers such as poor power supply, high cost of Right of Way (RoW) approvals, and rising operational costs — all of which hamper digital infrastructure expansion, especially in underserved rural areas.

Dr. Maida also flagged cyber security threats and escalating capital requirements as urgent challenges, adding that the current law does not adequately address the complexity of Nigeria’s rapidly digitising economy.

“The reality of 2025 demands we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future. A revised Communications Act must anticipate opportunities, not merely respond to challenges.”

The EVC applauded the National Assembly for convening the dialogue and pledged the Commission’s continued collaboration with lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and international partners to draft a future-ready legal framework.

It was gathered that a legislative review could be imminent, as the country seeks to make significant impact in the global digital economic landscape.

The two-day colloquium, which stakeholders and communications experts described as pivotal for securing Nigeria’s digital future focused on reviewing and advancing the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, as prominent figures from the country’s legislative and communications sectors and policy makers were in attendance.

Among the distinguished participants were, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Communications Hon. Midala Balami; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida; Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka; Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Hon. Peter Akpatason and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at NCC, Barr. Rimini Makama.

The colloquium served as a platform to deliberate on a new legislative agenda that addresses the evolving needs of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital and communications landscape. It highlighted the importance of collaborative governance between lawmakers and regulators in shaping policies that foster innovation, protect consumer interests, and enhance the nation’s digital economy.