The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has outlined key priorities for 2026, placing consumer experience, network quality and fair competition at the centre of its regulatory agenda.

Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO Dr Aminu Maida said the focus is on making telecom services more reliable, affordable and transparent while ensuring the industry remains attractive to investors.

Why It Matters

Telecommunications is a vital part of everyday life in Nigeria, shaping how people communicate, work, learn and do business.

In 2025, broadband subscriptions grew strongly and network coverage expanded, with millions more connected nationwide. These gains set the stage for deeper improvements in service quality and consumer protections in 2026.

Reliable networks and transparent pricing are critical to building trust, supporting economic activity and advancing Nigeria’s ambition to become a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

What the Regulator Says

Dr Maida highlighted that while progress has been made including broader 4G and 5G coverage and faster mobile data speeds, consumers still face inconsistent service quality in some areas.

He told stakeholders that consumer trust is central: “If consumers do not experience reliable and affordable service, trust is eroded; if operators cannot invest sustainably, growth stalls.”

The regulator’s 2026 priorities include:

Enhanced monitoring of network quality and incident reporting to reduce outages.

Tighter oversight of tariffs, billing accuracy and customer care to reduce misleading practices.

Promotion of fair competition and market discipline to bring better prices and services.

Implementation of a revised Corporate Governance Code to improve operator accountability.

Impact on Readers

For telecom users across Nigeria, this means:

clearer billing and pricing,

fewer unresolved failed transactions,

better communication during major outages, and

stronger protections against poor service.

For businesses, improved networks and transparent regulations can support digital commerce, remote work and innovation.

Overall, experts say that a stable, consumer-centric telecom market helps expand Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy.

What’s Next

The NCC’s agenda sets milestones for 2026, but implementation will require ongoing industry cooperation, investment in infrastructure (such as Project BRIDGE) and robust regulatory oversight.

Lawmakers and regulators may also pursue updated legal frameworks to keep pace with new technologies and digital services.

Smile Communications is turning up the volume on unlimited internet in Nigeria! The leading 4G LTE broadband provider has unveiled a bold and exciting upgrade to its much-loved Unlimited Plans — now proudly called the Smile Maxi Plans.

Why “Maxi”?

The name Maxi is inspired by the word maximum — and that’s exactly what these new plans stand for. Maximum data. Maximum value. Maximum satisfaction.

With this refresh, Smile is making a loud statement: when it comes to unlimited browsing, streaming, calling, and downloads, nothing beats Smile Maxi Plans.

Unlimited Just Got Bigger

The Smile Maxi Plans are not just a name change — they represent more power, more value, and more freedom for every user. Consumers now get increased value and across the range, making it easier than ever to stay connected all day, every day.

Whether you’re a small business owner running your operations online, a family sharing moments together, or a heavy data user on the go, the Smile Maxi Plans are built to keep you connected seamlessly across all your devices.

A Brand on an Unlimited Journey

According to Mr. ’Goke Olaleye, Head of Marketing Operations at Smile Communications,

“Smile Maxi Plans are our way of saying to customers — we see you, we hear you, and we’re giving you the maximum experience possible. This is what true unlimited should feel like.”

Smile Communications continues to lead the charge in redefining how Nigerians experience the internet — with reliable speed, incredible value, and unmatched service quality.

Experience the Power of Maxi

Get ready to do more, stream more, share more, and smile more — with Smile Maxi Plans. Because when it comes to unlimited, nothing beats Maxi!

Smile Maxi Plans — Maximum Data. Maximum Value. Maximum Smile.

MTN Group and MTV Base have called for urgent collective action to protect children and young people from online harm, warning that the digital future of Africa depends on safeguarding its youth.

The appeal came at the conclusion of their Room of Safety initiative, held at MTN Group’s headquarters under the theme From Conversations to Commitment: Africa’s Room of Safety.

The event brought together youth leaders, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society groups to advance discussions on online safety.

Protecting young people in a digital age

The Room of Safety project is a 10-part series aired on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and across MTN and MTV Base’s social platforms. The campaign, designed as edutainment, has reached over 52 million people across the continent, sparking conversations and equipping young people with tools to navigate digital spaces safely.

African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, HE Ms Lerato Mataboge, stressed that online protection is a duty.

“Africa is at the forefront of a digital transformation unlike any other. For us at the African Union, child online protection is not optional—it is a duty. That is why the African Union has adopted the Child Online Safety and Empowerment Strategy. This strategy is our continental shield. It reflects our African realities, it is rooted in our values, and it is anchored in our aspirations,” she said.

Shared responsibility across sectors

MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo, highlighted the role of businesses.

“As Africa’s leading digital operator, MTN connects hundreds of millions of people every single day. That reach is a privilege, but it also brings a duty: to ensure that those connections are trusted, responsible, and protective. Building a safer digital Africa cannot be achieved by one company, one government, or one organization. It requires all of us — policymakers, businesses, educators, parents and young people themselves.”

Echoing this view, Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and GM of Editorial at Paramount Africa, described online harm as a cultural as well as a technological challenge.

“Online harm isn’t just a tech issue — it’s a cultural one. It affects how young people express themselves, connect, learn, and participate in society. And if we’re serious about building a safer digital Africa, we must move beyond conversation and commit to action — with youth at the centre, not just as participants, but as co-creators and leaders.”

Calls for action and next steps

The panel featured representatives from UNICEF, GSMA, Vodacom, Meta, and Google, with discussions focusing on practical steps to improve child safety online. In June, GSMA released a white paper titled Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa, which provides recommendations for governments, regulators, and industry players to work together.

MTN and MTV Base urged more organisations across Africa to invest in safety-focused initiatives and campaigns. They emphasised that edutainment offers a powerful way to engage and educate children and young people on safe digital practices.

The conversation will continue in October when MTV Base launches a new documentary exploring the intersection of mental health and digital life, as part of Mental Health Month.

Young people, parents, and educators can watch all episodes of the Room of Safety series on @MTVBaseSouth and @MTVBaseAfrica platforms.

More information is available on MTN’s child online protection page.