Tag: Aminu Maida

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says its decision to return to market-driven pricing in the telecoms sector has spurred over one billion dollars in infrastructure investment in 2025.

Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, said this during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Friday.

He explained that the policy shift, introduced in January and February 2025, allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50 per cent after nearly a decade of stagnant pricing.

“This act alone, has allowed investments to flow in. We will be revealing more specific figures in the coming weeks after verification, but we are talking about over a billion dollars worth of investment in 2025 alone,” he said.

Maida said that the move restored investor confidence in the sector and reversed a trend of under investment that had slowed network growth and service quality improvements.

According to him, the imbalance in the value chain, where tower companies can adjust prices annually for inflation and exchange rates but mobile network operators cannot had discouraged new investment.

“This is an industry that requires continuous investment. The world is moving ahead, and if we do not create the right conditions, we will be left behind,” he said.

The NCC boss said the commission decided to return to the guiding principles of the 2000 Telecom Policy and the 2003 Communications Act, which allowed market forces to determine fair prices while maintaining healthy competition to protect consumers.

He disclosed that some of the new equipment ordered by operators had started arriving in the country since June, with network expansion and upgrade works already underway.

“We are closely tracking the rollout. We hold weekly calls with operators to monitor how many sites are being built, upgrades done and we step in when they encounter challenges with authorities,” Maida said.

He added that the investments would help address capacity challenges, improve service quality, and ensure Nigeria remained competitive in the global telecom landscape.

The NCC boss also highlighted operational cost pressures facing the industry, noting that operators consumed over 40 million litres of diesel monthly to power their base stations, with most of the product imported.

He said the industry’s dependence on foreign exchange (FX) for importing all network hardware and software added to the challenge, as no major telecom equipment was manufactured locally.

“There is nothing you need to build or upgrade a network today in Nigeria that you can buy locally. Everything from the hardware to the software has to be imported and that requires FX,” Maida said.

On protecting telecoms infrastructure, he said the commission was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to develop a framework for rapid response forces tailored to the unique challenges in each region.

He noted that threats vary by location, with some coastal areas requiring community-based engagement, while high-insecurity zones may need stronger civil defence presence.

According to him, the protection strategy goes beyond force and focuses on addressing structural issues that make telecom sites vulnerable, such as poor security measures, generator theft and community disputes.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a stricter corporate governance framework for telecom operators, aimed at enhancing transparency, internal controls, and risk management across the industry.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, made this known during the inauguration of the 2025 Guidelines on Corporate Governance on Wednesday in Lagos.

Maida said the new framework was designed to ensure long-term sustainability for telecom businesses, networks, as well as instill investor confidence.

“Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now strategically imperative, especially in a sector that is central to Nigeria’s digital future and exposed to cybersecurity threats, climate risks, energy shocks and rising consumer expectations,” Maida said.

He explained that under the new rules, telecom licensees would be required to implement balanced board structures, improve transparency, and establish tighter internal control systems.

The NCC boss noted that members of boards were expected to include executive, non-executive, and independent directors with demonstrated expertise in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and cybersecurity.

He added that the commission now formally recognised regulatory officers within licensees’ operations as key contacts for compliance monitoring.

“A major highlight of the new framework is the emphasis on internal audits and risk control.

“Operators are expected to conduct structured risk assessments and empower internal audit functions to ensure oversight.

“The guidelines mandate submission of mid-year and annual compliance reports, which must be certified by the board of directors.

“Our goal is simple, to ensure that telecom boards and management are properly structured to provide reliable services, protect infrastructure, and respond to the dynamic challenges of the industry,” Maida said.

According to him, the commission’s internal review shows a clear link between strong governance and superior performance in the telecoms sector.

“We conducted a comprehensive analysis, and the results were compelling.

“Companies with robust governance frameworks consistently outperformed others in areas of service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance,” the NCC boss noted.

While acknowledging that tighter regulations may initially disrupt some operators, the commission stressed that the long-term benefits would outweigh any temporary challenges.

Maida reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, capacity-building and technical support, while stressing that accountability would be strictly enforced.

“With over 200 million active subscriptions, the telecoms sector is now considered essential to Nigeria’s economy, supporting digital infrastructure across finance, education, healthcare, and government services,” he said.

Maida said that the new governance framework was necessary to keep pace with the sector’s scale and complexity.

He emphasised that the guidelines would be rolled out in phases, depending on the category of licence held, but stressed that enforcement would be rigorous.

“Operators must view this not as a regulatory burden but as a blueprint for long-term value creation.

“Where there is non-compliance, the commission will not hesitate to apply sanctions after remediation windows close,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), commended the NCC for updating the guidelines to reflect current realities.

He noted that some of the current realities reflected included Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities.

Ajogwu, who led the committee that produced the first Code of Corporate Governance for the telecoms sector in 2014, described the revised guidelines as timely and critical.

Also, Titus Osawe, Coordinating Director, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), also lauded the initiative, describing it as a key step towards strengthening good governance in a vital sector of the economy.

Osawe noted that industry-specific governance frameworks helped reinforce accountability and investor confidence.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has collaborated with the Association for Progressive Communications and other institutional stakeholders towards addressing challenges confronting rural network connectivity in Nigeria.

The collaboration resulted in a two-day workshop hosted in Abuja from June 3-4, 2025, to explore policy framework for enabling community networks towards bridging the digital divide and accelerating socio-economic development in Nigeria’s underserved and unserved communities.

The forum brought together regulators, community leaders, technical experts and potential foreign investors, among others, to examine policy and regulatory barriers, explore innovative funding mechanisms, ensure sustainable renewable solutions and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders.

Addressing participants at the workshop, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the workshop is important to bridging the digital divide in Nigeria and foster inclusive social economic development.

“This workshop is an opportunity for all of us to harness the expertise, insights, and experiences of diverse stakeholders present here which includes the regulators, community leaders, technical experts and potential foreign providers to address the critical challenges such as affordable devices, access, licensing, spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, sustainability and institutional monitoring,” said Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC at the event, Abraham Oshadami.

Maida said the workshop demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion, particularly in underserved and unserved areas. “At NCC, we recognise the transformative potential of community center networks in achieving this important goal,” he said.

The EVC said NCC was committed to “this journey and views this workshop as a catalyst for meaningful change,” stating that the expertise, perspectives and commitments will shape the future where every Nigerian, regardless of his or her status, will have meaningful access to opportunities from digital connectivity.

In her remarks, Co-manager of the Association for Progressive Communications’ Local Network (LocNet) initiative, Kathleen Diga, noted that the collaboration was to tackle identified hindrances to digital inclusion. “This is a space where we can be open and exchange ideas of possibilities, opportunities that will remain in realising values of a diversified ecosystem.”

Diga said, “I believe this workshop presents a moment in time that we can explore the bottom-up approach in local communities, small social enterprises, corporative among others, which have the ability to fill some of the digital gaps that remain unfilled,” she said, adding emphasising the need to recognise that community centre connectivity exists and they are grow throughout the global south, which, she said, are a “strategic response to digital exclusion.”

The workshop featured presentations from the NCC, the Association for Progressive Communications and other institutional stakeholders such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) all geared towards exploring a joint policy framework to address rural digital divide.

The Association for Progressive Communications is a 35-year-old international network member-based organisation encouraging digital inclusion in the unserved communities, particularly with communities in the global south and the workshop, through its LocNet initiative aimed at crafting an enabling inclusive regulatory framework for community networks in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in a bid to improve transparency in the telecom industry says it will simplify the process of tracking data usage for customers.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said this at the 93rd edition of Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme of the programme was: “Optimising Data Experience, Empowering Consumers Through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry”.

Maida said that earlier this year, NCC analysed consumer complaints, revealing data depletion and billing issues as top concerns.

According to him, the NCC directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to conduct audits of their billing systems, which reported no major issues.

“However, perceptions persist due to two main factors: the impact of high-resolution devices and improved technologies on data use, and the complexity of operator tariffs.

On the issue of tariff complexity, he said that the commission issued a Guidance on Tariff Simplification, requiring operators to provide clear, accessible information on data plans and pricing.

“This transparency will empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about their data usage and billing.

“In the coming months, operators will implement this guidance, presenting consumers with tables detailing their tariff plans, billing rates on each plan, and all terms and conditions related to the tariff plans,” ge said.

Maida said that the goal of simplifying the process was for the consumer to be consistently satisfied with telecom services.

“Over the past months Our data analysis has shown that quality service delivery is not solely the responsibility of MNOs; it requires collaboration across the value chain.

“It requires collaboration with key stakeholders like Tower Companies (TowerCos), which provide power and shared infrastructure, as well as those providing essential backhaul services, whether by fibre, microwave or even satellite,” he said.

He said that connecting base stations to the core networks of MNOs all played crucial roles in ensuring high-quality telecom services.

“In recognition of this, the commission has revised its guidelines to include provisions that hold each player in the value chain accountable for quality service,” he said.

The President, Association of Licenced Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adabayo, said that tariff simplification would benefit consumers by offering more straightforward and transparent data plans that were easier to compare and understand.

“With simplified tariffs, consumers can make more informed choices about which data packages that suit their needs.

“Many consumers have expressed concern about the rapid rate at which their data is consumed.

“Our findings reveal that data depletion is often driven by the active use and activities of smart devices, many of which run in the background without the consumer’s knowledge.

Adabayo gave assurance of the commitment of the industry players to transparency by empowering the consumers.

“We have seen also that transparency is the bedrock of trust. Prior to now we realised that we may have some trust issues with our consumers.

“I think through the leadership of the NCC we have done a significant endeavor in building trust among our consumer.

“Through consistent and open communications about data usage, tariffs, and service types, we plan to build much more lasting trust with our consumers,” he said.

He commended the NCC boss and his team for the initiatives to drive the sector, and called for strengthened collaboration.

“Indeed, achieving a truly consumer eco-industry requires united efforts from all stakeholders. I commend the NCC for the regulatory leadership and commitment to ensuring that operators provide the best possible services,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz, said: the company held the consumer close to its heart because they are the reason for doing business.

“The industry is highly capital intensive and for us to improve service delivery, we must continue to invest in the sector.”

“The debts that the banks owe us are really not helpful, but I thank the executive vice chairman for his intervention,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Obafemi Banigbe, said that the issues were common, adding that most of the challenges customers faced were caused by power failure or cable cuts.

“On data use, it is difficult for consumers to know their consumption rate because it is not like the voice call that they can easily calculate. If operators can share insights, it will help to reduce operational cost,” he said.

The representative of Consumer Advocacy Group, Dr Olawande Wumi, underscored the importance of consumers awareness of their rights and obligations, especially at the grass roots.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will reduce the gap of unconnected Nigerians in rural areas from 61 per cent to 20 per cent by 2027.

The Executive Vice Chairman of  NCC, Mr  Aminu Maida, said this during the Sixth Edition of  the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) in Lagos, on Wednesday.

The event had the theme:  “Accelerating Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency”.

Maida was represented by Head of Policy Competition and Economic Analysis Department,  Freda Bruce-Bennett.

He said the commission planned  to achieve the objective through smart infrastructure sharing and optimisation, innovative licences and rural intervention.

The executive vice chairman said that NCC would also implement smart policies to reduce the infrastructure gap in the rural areas.

On building a more prosperous and inclusive economy, Maida said : “NCC will implement more policies to increase Nigeria’s tech talent pool.

“We will create a supportive environment for innovation, ensure robust infrastructure, unlock investment in critical sectors and stimulate economic growth.”

In his presentation, Mr Tola Yusuf, Founding Partner, INFRATEL Africa said weak digital application ecosystem, lack of funding, low smartphones penetration and difficult fiber deployment were some of the challenges plaguing rural connectivity.

Yusuf said others were digital infrastructure gap, development obstacles, need for more digital skills, mismatch between tech and slow digital transformation.

He also noted that 70 per cent of rural connectivity was  dominated by foreign exchange.

Yusuf said that to solve these challenges, there must be a balance between accessibility and affordability.

”We need to go to the grassroots, understand the challenges and know how to tackle them.

”The government needs to implement the right policies, funding, grants, taxes and subsidy to solve the issues on ground.

”Also, telcos need to partner more, instead of seeing each other as competitors. Local community engagement, grassroot initiative and  collaboration are also very necessary, ” he said.

Yusuf added that as stakeholders, it was time to start exploring workable solutions.

He stressed the need for telcos to initiate cheap packages for those at the grassroot.

The Convener of the event, Mr Omobayo Azeez, said the aim was to create a midpoint dialogue platform for digital economy stakeholders across both the public and private divides.

He noted that it was also aimed at  brainstorming, exchanging  perspectives, clearing grey areas and harmonising thoughts regarding the industry.

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on Tuesday called for collaboration, innovation and proactive action to mitigate emerging risks ahead of 6G deployment.

Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, said this during a two-day Telecoms Industry Risk Management conference, held in Lagos with the theme, “Evolution and Future Risk Management in the Telecoms Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends.”

Aminu, who was represented by Mr Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC said taking proactive measures ahead of the introduction of 6G would ensure seamless integration of the technology.

He explained that to navigate this dynamic environment, the need for effective risk management was increasingly paramount.

“Today, we stand at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, where emerging technologies and trends present both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

“While we discuss the current landscape of 5G networks, which boast of wider attack surface due to the increased number of connected devices and denser network infrastructure, it is imperative to even cast our gaze into the future.

“We are witnessing the dawn of 6G technology, the next frontier in wireless communication.

“With promises of even faster speeds, lower latency, and groundbreaking applications, 6G has the potential to revolutionise the way we experience connectivity,” Aminu said.

He, however, said with this advancement came the responsibility to address new risks from cybersecurity threats.

Aminu explained that the prospect of 7G technology also loomed on the horizon.

“As we contemplate the possibilities, it is essential to acknowledge that with each generational leap, one faces not only technological advancements but also a fresh set of challenges.

“Anticipating and managing risks associated with 6G and 7G will require collaboration, innovation and a proactive approach.

“In addition to the evolution of connectivity, we must consider the implications of emerging technologies such as quantum technologies (computing, sensing, and communications), advanced artificial intelligence, and blockchain (distributed ledger) technologies.

“These trends, when harnessed effectively, hold the potential to transform our industry positively. However, they also introduce complexities that demand careful consideration in our risk management strategies,” he noted.

The NCC boss said the commission remained committed to fostering an environment that encouraged innovation while prioritising security and stability of the telecoms infrastructure.

“As we navigate through 5G and the uncharted territory of the next generations of wireless technologies, collaborative efforts among regulators and industry players become even more crucial for sharing best practices and implementing robust risk management strategies.

“We should, therefore, move beyond mere compliance and reactive measures, and instead, harness the power of these new technologies and trends to build a resilient and future-proof industry,” Aminu said.

According to him, building a culture of risk awareness is paramount.

He noted that as an industry, it was necessary to empower people with the knowledge and skills to proactively identify, report risks, embed security awareness and risk management practices in business processes.

He added that emerging technologies such as AI should be leveraged to generate data-driven insights needed to predict, detect and respond to risks in real-time.

Also, the Head of Corporate Planning, Strategies and  Risk Management, NCC, Mr Kelechi Nwankwo, said the fast-disruptive world of the telecoms industry had witnessed convergence of diverse technological advancements with the potential of reshaping the future.

He, however, said with great opportunities came great risks, adding that it was the collective responsibility of stakeholders to address the risks and possibly safeguard the industry’s growth and sustainability.

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has said efforts are being made to ensure total Quality of Experience (QoE) that will ensure telecom consumers move away from using multiple SIM cards.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said this during a special engagement with the media in Lagos on Thursday to discuss his vision and strategy after spending 100 days in office.

Maida stressed NCC will foster growth in the telecoms industry by focusing on collaboration, compliance, data and quality of experience.

He said it was very vital to collaborate with stakeholders, who ranged from government agencies to the media, telecoms operators and consumers.

The NCC boss said that the commission would be focusing on three major stakeholders – the telecoms consumers, the industry itself and the government.

Maida noted that the commission would be focusing on the needs of each of these stakeholders, adding that it knew consumers, for example, are looking for total Quality of Experience (QoE).

The NCC boss said the commission would  be driving QoE, right from the point of how consumers find and select telecoms services.

“We will be leveraging on data to be able to empower consumers to make the right choice, so that we can move away from the world where we have multiple SIM devices.

“Rather than multiple devices and SIM cards, we are looking at a situation, where consumers will only have one SIM card and one device.

“We are also going to be working with our licensees on data tariff, speed and coverage. We are going to be working with our licensees to see how tariff can be simpler and more transparent,” Maida said.

He added that the commission would also continue to enlighten consumers to understand the habits that drive greater data usage.

Maida explained that as consumers buy phones with stronger data tolerance which produce better quality pictures, they fail to realise that these habits consume data faster.