The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced that the country’s teledensity has risen to 79.65%, while broadband penetration has reached 48.81% as of May 2025.
This was disclosed on Thursday at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where the Commission unveiled a draft licensing regime aimed at modernising regulation and encouraging innovation in the nation’s telecom sector.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said the proposed General Authorisation Framework is a response to Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
He explained that the Commission is adopting a more flexible and forward-thinking regulatory approach to support startups, new service models, and emerging technologies.
“We are at a turning point where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory approach that is enabling and forward-looking,” Maida said.
According to the NCC, the draft framework introduces instruments that will allow telecom operators to test new ideas, trial innovations in a controlled setting, and provide services not currently covered under existing licence categories. The aim, officials said, is to encourage experimentation and responsible deployment while safeguarding market integrity.
Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the Commission, Usman Mamman, noted that the draft regime was developed through rigorous research and global benchmarking, drawing lessons from advanced telecom environments such as the United Kingdom and Singapore. He described the move as a significant step toward fostering a regulatory environment that keeps pace with the dynamic nature of technological advancement.
“This new approach will support experimentation and responsible deployment while safeguarding market integrity,” Mamman said, urging stakeholders to actively contribute to the review process.
The forum also featured presentations on feedback already gathered from major industry stakeholders. Dr. Mohammed Yusuf, Head of Telecoms Law and Regulations at the NCC, presented insights from organisations such as the Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) and MTN Nigeria. While ICAF called for stronger consumer protection measures and more defined boundaries around authorisations, MTN expressed concerns about potential overlaps between temporary and permanent licences, urging the Commission to provide clearer implementation guidelines.
In response, Dr. Yusuf assured participants that their input would be taken seriously and incorporated into the final framework to ensure alignment with national digital policy objectives.
“The framework remains in draft form, and we are committed to a transparent process that reflects the concerns and aspirations of all stakeholders,” he said.
The NCC emphasised that public engagement remains open and encouraged continued dialogue to refine the framework for the benefit of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.