Whyte; Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele; Attorney General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, SAN; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida; and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Barr. Rimini Makama, during the maiden edition of a two-day Annual Workshop for Attorneys- General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Industry, hosted by the Commission held in Lagos, recently.

The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, has solicited the support and cooperation of the legal community, especially the Attorneys- General of the Federation and those of the 36 states in the country to address myriads of challenges facing the sector- including legal, regulatory, fiscal, and operational that impede investments into the country’s evolving digital space.

The Commission listed such challenges to include the obsolete NCC Act 2003, which is out of tune with current realities in the digital age, multiple and inconsistent tax regime, which deters investment, the problem of regulatory overlaps due to fragmented oversight, which creates confusion and inefficiencies and the need to protect critical national information infrastructure CNII through strict enforcement of President Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Order.

Addressing stakeholders at theCommission’s maiden annual workshop for Attorneys-General, which held recently in Lagos, with the theme: “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria”, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, noted that the event had become necessary, as it is in tandem with the efforts of the NCC to foster collaboration between the legal community and the regulatory ecosystem that drives Nigeria’s digital future.  

He further noted that the theme of the maiden workshop,reflects the Commission’s belief that collaboration is not optional, but essential. He argued that no sector, especially one as dynamic and impactful as communications, can be effectively regulated in isolation.

According to him, the communications sector remains a vital enabler of innovation, commerce, governance, and inclusion, adding that to fully unlock its potential, stakeholders must come together to tackle a range of challenges that cut across legal, regulatory, fiscal, and operational domains.

Maida said:“This is where your role, as Attorneys-General becomes critical. You are not only the Chief Law Officers of your states; you are also policy influencers and key partners in shaping the legal frameworks that support national development. Your insights and guidance help ensure that innovation happens within a structure that promotes fairness, accountability, and long-term stability.

“Since the early 2000s, communications regulation has evolved through distinct phases—from liberalising markets and establishing independent regulators, to expanding broadband infrastructure and fostering universal access. In the 2010s, attention shifted to protecting consumers, enabling digital financial services, and addressing cross-sectoral challenges.

“Today, regulators are focused on advanced frontiers such as AI governance, digital resilience, and sustainable connectivity. Throughout this journey, one constant remains: collaborative, forward-looking regulation is essential to sustaining innovation and inclusive digital growth.

“This workshop has been designed to address some of the most pressing issues in the sector today, including: A review of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003): We will reflect on its strengths, limitations, and areas for reform to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving digital age. Streamlining taxation in the communications sector: The issue of multiple and inconsistent taxes continues to deter investment.

“We must work together to harmonise tax regimes and remove disincentives to growth. Addressing regulatory overlaps: Fragmented oversight creates confusion and inefficiencies. Our goal is to explore reforms that enhance coordination and legal clarity across agencies. On protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure CNII, following the 2024 Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the designation of communications infrastructure as CNII gives us a new framework for collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders. We must now operationalise it effectively.

“As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, underpinned by technologies such as AI, IoT, and high-speed connectivity, the challenges will grow more complex. But so too will the opportunities. To succeed, we must adopt a Whole-of-Government approach that leverages the strengths of all institutions—federal and state.”

He however assured that the NCC is committed to working with all stakeholders, including the legal community to align regulatory actions with broader national goals, while believing the Attorneys-General have a strategic role to play, not just in interpreting the law, but also in shaping an enabling legal environment, where technology and governance work in tandem.

“This workshop is just the beginning. We hope it will become an annual platform for knowledge exchange, mutual understanding, and joint problem-solving. I am confident that the conversations we start here will lead to stronger partnerships and better outcomes for the Nigerian people”, the NCC boss also assured.

He thanked the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN for his presence, which he said sends a strong message about the importance the Federal Government places on institutional synergy and policy cohesion.