The Federal Government has warned that Nigeria may struggle to compete in the global digital economy if outdated telecommunications policies and weak implementation systems are allowed to persist.
Speaking at the National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission in Lagos, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, said the country’s telecommunications framework must evolve to reflect current technological and economic realities.
According to her, the National Telecommunications Policy introduced in 2000 no longer aligns with the demands of a rapidly changing digital environment driven by innovation, connectivity and emerging technologies.
“A policy that was fit for purpose in the year 2000 cannot simply be assumed to remain adequate in 2026,” she said.
Usman noted that telecommunications has moved far beyond basic voice communication and now serves as the backbone for sectors such as financial technology, healthcare, education, agriculture, e-commerce, innovation and national security.
She explained that because almost every sector now depends on reliable digital infrastructure, telecommunications should no longer be viewed as a standalone industry but as a foundation for national productivity and economic competitiveness.
“Telecommunications is no longer a standalone sector. It is an enabling platform for almost every other sector of national life,” she stated.
The presidential adviser warned that poorly coordinated and outdated policies often create institutional conflicts, weaken implementation, discourage investors and reduce the overall impact of government reforms.
According to her, public policy should not exist merely as documentation but must function as a practical framework capable of guiding regulators, attracting investors and creating measurable outcomes for citizens.
She stressed that unclear responsibilities and weak implementation structures have contributed to the failure of many public policies across government institutions.
Usman added that the revised telecommunications framework must address critical issues such as broadband expansion, affordability of digital access, service quality, consumer protection and inclusion of underserved communities.
She also called for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, regulators, infrastructure providers, operators and private investors to accelerate sector-wide growth.
According to her, the review process should be treated as a national development priority tied directly to Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda under President Bola Tinubu.
She explained that the new framework is expected to align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Presidential Priorities.
“The revised framework must clearly define implementation timelines, institutional responsibilities, measurable targets, reporting mechanisms, and performance indicators to improve accountability,” she said.
Usman further revealed that the government is working on a National Public Policy Development and Management Framework aimed at improving implementation planning, policy coordination and evidence-based governance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
She argued that telecommunications infrastructure should now be regarded as critical national infrastructure because disruptions within the sector affect businesses, hospitals, schools, banking systems and security operations.
Among the major obstacles slowing telecom infrastructure expansion, she identified fibre cuts, vandalism, multiple taxation, right of way bottlenecks, insecurity, delayed approvals and rising energy costs.
According to her, solving these challenges would require coordinated efforts across all levels of government rather than isolated interventions by regulators or telecom operators.
“The revised policy must not become another document that sits on shelves. It must become a working instrument,” she said.
In his remarks at the event, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, said Nigeria’s telecom industry has significantly evolved since the introduction of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000.
Maida explained that the original policy was created during a period when the country’s primary focus was liberalisation, competition and expanding access to telecommunications services.
However, he noted that the industry has since transformed into a large digital ecosystem supporting banking, cloud services, e-commerce, entertainment, government operations and digital identity systems.
He also highlighted the growing influence of technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity regulation, satellite broadband and the Internet of Things.
“This is no longer a narrow telecommunications conversation,” Maida said. “It is a productivity infrastructure for the entire economy.”
According to him, the policy review is necessary to preserve competition, strengthen consumer protection, improve universal access and encourage innovation and investment across the sector.
He acknowledged that longstanding challenges including rural connectivity gaps, fibre vandalism, permitting delays, multiple taxation and high operating costs continue to affect the quality and reach of digital services nationwide.
Maida explained that the workshop was organised to evaluate the implementation of the existing policy, identify structural gaps and gather stakeholder input toward developing a new National Telecommunications Policy for 2026.
He added that the NCC intends to establish a modern policy framework capable of supporting innovation, improving service quality, protecting consumers and advancing Nigeria’s ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading digital economies.
The NCC boss urged stakeholders to approach the review process with openness and a shared commitment to strengthening the future of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
