The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has presented the report of its 2024 Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on eight subsidiary legislations, in what it described as a bold move to strengthen evidence-based rule-making and participatory governance in the telecoms sector. The hybrid Stakeholder Engagement Forum, held on June 26, 2025, marked the Commission’s first formal presentation of a comprehensive RIA report.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, said the RIA reflects the Commission’s strategic focus on consumers, licensees, and the government. “It is critical to the RIA process to review the impact of these legislations that border on consumer satisfaction and Quality of Experience,” he said. He noted that the review aimed to ensure that the subsidiary legislations are market-responsive, reduce barriers to entry, and align with national policy objectives.
Dr. Maida emphasized the inclusive nature of the process, adding 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.” He called for “open and constructive engagement” to refine regulatory practices and promote market sustainability.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, NCC’s Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, described the RIA as “an evolutionary change to the rule-making processes of the Commission.” She highlighted that the assessment reviewed areas including licensing, SIM registration, and infrastructure sharing, identifying “opportunities to streamline processes, clarify obligations and remove outdated provisions that may hinder innovation.”
The Commission reiterated its commitment to transparency and collaboration, stressing that outcomes from the RIA will guide future reforms. “Let us continue to work together to create a regulatory framework that not only protects consumers and ensures compliance but also drives sustainable growth and national development,” Mrs. Whyte concluded.
The presentation of the empirical findings from the assessment indicates that the regulatory impact assessment identified key areas for improvement in the commission’s subsidiary legislations, it also advocates continued collaboration between regulators, operators and stakeholders as essential for effective implementation, while calling for balanced regulatory approach to enhance competition, consumer protection. Promising that the commission remains committed to adapting its regulatory framework to support Nigeria’s evolving communications sector.