The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has opened a consultative process for the review of policies in exercise of its functions under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (the Act).
And upon the activation of the provisions of Section 24 (1). of the Act, the NCC has published a Consultation Paper on its website inviting interested stakeholders to make written submissions on the published Consultation Paper for the review of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000.
According to the public notice, all submissions must reach the Commission on or before Friday, March 20, 2026, and should be addressed to the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. (Attention: Director Policy, Competition & Economic Analysis). Submissions can also be done via email to [email protected].
Independent News Express reports that this Consultation Process will lead to the development of the First Draft of the National Telecommunications Policy 2026 to replace the existing NTP (after twenty five years of implementation).
The Draft will also undergo further consultations to enable stakeholders make more inputs before a Final Draft will be subjected to the statutory Policy approval and validation processes. Hence, this is a first step in the consultation process and there will be other layers of engagements, to ensure that the Final Draft accommodates varied expertise, feedback and inputs from a cross section of stakeholders.
The NCC implored stakeholders to take the opportunity to participate in developing the Policy that will take the communications sector to the next level after the immeasurable successes attained since 2000.
The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (Honourable Minister) set up a Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) and a Ministerial Technical Committee (MTC) to commence the process of reviewing the National Telecommunications Policy 2000.
This Consultation Paper is part of the expectations of Section 24 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 which states that prior to the formulation or review of the general policy for the Nigerian communications sector, the Honourable Minister shall cause the Commission on his behalf to first carry out a public consultative process.
The consultation process shall be on the proposed policy formulation or modification. This Consultation Paper represents the first step in the public consultation process and will guide the changes, amendments and modifications that may be carried out on the subsisting National Telecommunications Policy 2000.
Hence this consultation process and its outcome will support the work of the MSC and the IC in coming up with a reviewed Policy that will meet the current challenges of the Sector and keep up with the rapid and dynamic changes in the last twenty five years since the current National Telecommunications Policy was issued in 2000.