The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has officially unveiled the 2024 Report of the Regulatory Impact Assessment RIA it conducted on eight (8) Subsidiary Legislations to stakeholders, describing it as an innovation to the Commission’s rule- making process and another avenue for participatory regulatory engagement of all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Commission has assured that it is more than ever committed to fostering a fair, transparent, and consumer- centric telecommunications landscape in the country.

Speaking at the official presentation of the report to stakeholders in Abuja, Thursday, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, noted that the essence of the RIA is to provide the telecommunications ecosystem with opportunities to participate in evaluating regulations, which when drafted well, safeguard the public interest, stimulate innovations and facilitate investment in the market.

He also disclosed that the RIA process provided major stakeholders with an opportunity to offer feedback, as well as recommend areas for review and improvement that will enhance legislations, adding that these enhancements will ensure the effective application and implementation of the Subsidiary Legislations.

“The process of this Regulatory Impact Assessment took into consideration the three Strategic Focus Areas of the Commission. First, the Consumers. It goes without mention that the Commission places consumers at the centre of its regulation of the telecommunications industry. They are key to the issuance and implementation of our Subsidiary Legislations. It is therefore critical to the RIA process to review the impact of these legislations that border on consumer satisfaction and Quality of Experience QoE.

“Secondly, the RIA aims to evaluate the impact of Subsidiary Legislations on licensees and the market, these are the second strategic focus area of the Commission. This evaluation is important in determining the adaptability and agility of these legislations in reducing barriers to market entrance, entrenching fair competition in the market and facilitating effective and efficient utilisation of scarce resources.

“The final strategic focus area that relates to the RIA is the Government the overarching stakeholder and major driver of policies and national objectives. The RIA reviewed the impact and opportunities of these legislations on driving governmental objectives and meeting policy expectations”, Maida said.

The NCC-boss therefore assured that the Commission remains committed to fostering a fair, transparent, and consumer centric telecommunications landscape. He further assured that discussions on the report of the RIA, its outcomes and recommendations wold be crucial to the Commission in refining its policies and ensuring that its regulatory approach aligns with the dynamic nature of the telecommunications industry as well as shape regulatory practices for years to come.

He said: “This engagement provides us an opportunity to look at the recalibration of the Commission’s strategic focus areas and determine whether the expectations of our major stakeholders are being met.

“Let us therefore, scrutinise rigorously, listen to diverse viewpoints respectfully and stay focused on the ultimate objective, which is to develop and build a regulatory framework that promotes growth and ensures market sustainability. I encourage open and constructive engagement, as your insights will be invaluable in shaping the rule making process and deepening the development, review and implementation of subsidiary legislations.

“Your presence and participation here today is highly appreciated I look forward to productive discussions, diverse viewpoints and meaningful outcomes that will strengthen market rules, cement consumer trust, provide regulatory clarity and enhance the agility and adaptability of subsidiary legislations.”

Meanwhile, head, Legal and Regulatory Services of the NCC, Mrs Chizua Whyte, who also spoke at the event, noted that the RIA remains a significant milestone in the efforts the NCC to ensure that its regulatory frameworks remain effective, relevant, and forward-looking, describing the report as first of its kind and an evolutionary change to the rule-making processes of the Commission.

She noted that the stakeholder engagement is not just the results of months of rigorous work, analysis, and stakeholder input, but a reflection of the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based regulation and continuous improvement. She added that the RIA has served as a vital tool in assessing the efficiency and impact of key subsidiary legislations governing Nigeria’s communications sector.

“As many of you are aware, the Commission has, over time, developed a range of regulations and guidelines to guide service delivery across the industry. However, with evolving technologies and policy priorities, it has become important to take a critical look at our existing regulatory instruments. The RIA process enabled us to evaluate what is working well, what requires enhancement, and where changes are necessary.

“The assessment focused on critical areas such as licensing, SIM registration, subscriber management, spectrum trading, enforcement procedures, and infrastructure sharing. Through this review, we have identified opportunities to streamline processes, clarify obligations and remove outdated provisions that may hinder innovation or investment.

“What distinguishes this RIA is the depth of collaboration it entails. We drew insights not only from internal analysis but also from the invaluable feedback of industry stakeholders. Their practical perspectives and constructive contributions helped shape the recommendations that we present today”, Whyte also said.