Technology
NCC Begins Review of National Telecommunications Policy After 26 Years
By Adedapo Adesanya
In a consultation paper released to the public, the commission said it is seeking input from stakeholders, including telecom operators, tech companies, legal experts, and the general public, on proposed revisions designed to reposition Nigeria’s telecommunications framework to match current digital demands. Submissions are expected by March 20, 2026.
The NTP 2000 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s telecom landscape. It replaced the 1998 policy, introducing full liberalisation and a unified regulatory framework under the NCC, and paved the way for the licensing of GSM operators such as MTN, Econet (now Airtel), and Globacom in 2001 and 2002.
Prior to the NTP, the sector was dominated by Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), a government-owned monopoly plagued by obsolete equipment, low teledensity, and poor service. At the time, Nigeria had fewer than 400,000 telephone lines for the entire country.
However, the NCC noted that just as the 1998 policy was overtaken by global developments, the 2000 framework has become structurally misaligned with today’s telecom reality, which encompasses broadband, 5G networks, satellite internet, artificial intelligence, and a thriving digital economy worth billions of dollars.
“The rapid pace of technological change and emerging digital services necessitate a comprehensive update to ensure the policy continues to support economic growth while protecting critical infrastructure,” the Commission stated.
The review will target multiple chapters of the policy. Key revisions include: Enhancements on online safety, content moderation, digital services regulation, and improved internet exchange protocols; a modern framework for satellite harmonisation, coexistence with terrestrial networks, and clearer spectrum allocation to boost service quality, and policies to address fiscal support, reduce multiple taxation, and lower operational costs for operators.
The NCC is also proposing entirely new sections to the policy to address emerging priorities. Among the key initiatives are clear broadband objectives aimed at achieving 70 per cent national broadband penetration, with a focus on extending connectivity beyond urban centres to reach rural communities.
The review also seeks to formally recognise telecom infrastructure, including fibre optic cables and network masts, as Critical National Infrastructure to prevent vandalism and enhance security.
In addition, the commission is targeting the harmonisation of Right-of-Way charges across federal, state, and local governments, alongside the introduction of a one-stop permitting process for telecom deployment, designed to reduce bureaucratic delays and lower operational costs for operators.
According to the NCC, the review aims to make fast and affordable internet widely accessible. “The old framework was largely voice-centric. Today, data is the currency of the digital economy,” the commission said, highlighting the need to close the urban-rural broadband divide.
The consultation process is intended to gather diverse perspectives to ensure the updated policy reflects current technological trends, market realities, and consumer needs. By doing so, the NCC hopes to maintain the telecommunications sector’s role as a key driver of economic growth and digital inclusion.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Aminu Maida, has reemphasised the need to protect the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, especially fibre networks, noting that damage to fibre networks carries significant economic consequences.
Speaking virtually at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) in Lagos recently, he described FTTH as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s digital future.
“FTTH is uniquely positioned to meet Nigerians' next phase of data demand. The quality of our broadband will increasingly shape the competitiveness of our businesses, the growth of our digital industry and the opportunities available to our citizens,” the NCC chief stated.
“We must uphold deployment standards. Nigeria needs fibre that is properly installed, properly documented, and properly protected,” Mr Maida further said at the event themed Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment.
During a panel discussion titled Policy, Governance and Regulatory Alignment, the Deputy Director of Strategic Business Initiatives at ipNX, Mr Segun Okuneye, highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across the telecommunications ecosystem to unlock the full potential of fibre broadband in Nigeria.
According to him, sustainable fibre deployment extends beyond technology and investment to include policy consistency, stakeholder alignment, infrastructure protection, and shared responsibility.
“Achieving universal fibre connectivity requires more than deploying infrastructure; it requires sustained collaboration between operators, regulators, government agencies and host communities.
“When policies are aligned, deployment standards are consistently enforced, and critical infrastructure is protected, we create an environment where investment thrives and more Nigerians can enjoy reliable, high-speed broadband.
“At ipNX, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to build resilient digital infrastructure that will support Nigeria’s economic growth for generations to come.”
Earlier in his welcome address, ATCON President, Mr Tony Emoekpere, underscored the strategic importance of FTTH in achieving the country’s broadband penetration targets while calling for greater public awareness around protecting communications infrastructure.
“This forum is critical because Fibre-to-the-Home is the technology that will enable the country to achieve full broadband penetration. We all depend on communication infrastructure, and it must be protected,” he declared.
Drawing a comparison with power infrastructure in the country, he added, “If somebody comes to your neighbourhood to tamper with your transformer or power cables, everybody will come out. The same thing needs to apply for communications infrastructure. When we see people damaging fibre cables, we should raise an alarm.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Thursday, July 23, 2026, provided an opportunity for financial services professionals to converge on Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, to brainstorm on ways to meet the rising customers’ expectations.
The platform used for this purpose was Core by Interswitch. It is part of the company’s broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s digital payments ecosystem by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the financial services value chain.
At the event, participants, numbering over 400, also highlighted the growing importance of operational excellence in sustaining resilient payment infrastructure.
As digital financial services continue to expand across Africa, closer collaboration among financial institutions, fintechs and payment service providers will be essential to improving responsiveness, resolving operational challenges more effectively and delivering consistently reliable customer experiences.
The Executive Vice President for Operations and Technology at Interswitch, Mr Babafemi Ogungbamila, said the forum reflects the company’s belief that exceptional customer experiences are built not only on innovative technology but also on the expertise, collaboration and commitment of the professionals who keep payment systems running every day.
“Every successful digital transaction is powered by professionals whose work often goes unseen but is fundamental to building trust in digital payments. Core by Interswitch was created to recognise their contribution, strengthen collaboration across the industry and create opportunities for shared learning that ultimately benefit financial institutions and the customers they serve.
“As digital payments continue to evolve, investing in the people and processes that power the technology is just as important as investing in the technology itself,” Mr Ogungbamila said.
Beyond recognising the professionals whose work often goes unnoticed, the programme underscored the value of creating stronger connections across the payments ecosystem.
By creating a dedicated platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and professional development, Core by Interswitch aims to build a more connected community of payments operations professionals equipped to respond to the evolving demands of the digital economy.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
WhatsApp has been updated with a web calling feature, allowing users to now make and receive audio and video calls, both one-on-one and group, directly from WhatsApp Web.
A notice from the Meta-owned messaging platform disclosed that this feature works without the need to download any app.
It was disclosed that this update was made to WhatsApp to make it easier for users to make calls wherever they are and on whatever device, phone or laptop.
Users will have access to features available on their other devices, including screen sharing, reactions, and a dedicated Calls tab with full call history and favourites, all from their browsers.
WhatsApp noted that calls from this feature are end-to-end encrypted, with no time limits and at no cost, as it is the same private experience they expect from the platform.
WhatsApp has also been embedded with easy call transfer, enabling the movement of an active group call from one device to another without hanging up. Users can seamlessly transfer calls to WhatsApp Web or Desktop when they arrive home to collaborate on a larger screen – or vice versa.
The platform further said it now has QuickHD, which allows for an improved video experience at the beginning of a call. With QuickHD, users can now enjoy high-definition video immediately in the very first few seconds of the call.
In addition, it has launched noise suppression to remove the background noise around callers so their voices come through clearly to the person on the other end, even in loud or busy environments. This can be managed at any time in in-call settings.
WhatsApp said these features are rolling out gradually and will be available to everyone soon, expressing its desire to make WhatsApp calling simpler to use.
