The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional digital integration, saying closer cooperation among West African telecoms regulators is critical to expanding the digital economy and improving citizens’ quality of life.

The pledge was restated when the NCC hosted a high-level delegation from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) at its headquarters in Abuja.

Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, said the region becomes “stronger and more prosperous when all countries are interconnected,” stressing that collaboration remains central to the Commission’s long-standing regulatory strategy.

Why this matters

Telecommunications infrastructure underpins digital banking, cross-border trade, security coordination, and everyday communication across West Africa.

As countries pursue economic integration under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), regulators say affordable and reliable communications services are no longer optional but essential.

The NCC believes deeper regulatory cooperation can unlock faster internet access, lower roaming costs, and new opportunities for businesses operating across borders.

NCC: Collaboration is non-negotiable

Speaking during the visit, Dr Maida, who was represented by the Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Dr Kelechi Nwankwo, said the NCC remains committed to sustained engagement with sister regulatory institutions within and beyond the sub-region.

He noted that the Commission’s involvement in platforms such as the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) reflects its belief that shared regulatory frameworks strengthen consumer protection and industry confidence.

“The region becomes stronger and more prosperous when all countries are interconnected,” Maida said.

He added that collaboration remains “a core driver of the NCC Board” and is essential to advancing the interests of telecoms consumers and other stakeholders.

ICT as critical national infrastructure

Maida also recalled the NCC’s advocacy for the recognition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as critical national infrastructure within ECOWAS.

He noted that Nigeria has already designated ICT as part of its critical national information infrastructure, giving the sector strategic prominence needed for sustainable economic growth.

According to him, this recognition helps protect telecoms assets while ensuring policy continuity and investor confidence.

Liberia applauds Nigeria’s leadership

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Hon Clarence Massaquoi, commended the NCC for embracing regional coordination and regulatory collaboration.

He described the engagement as critical to strengthening regulatory responsibilities across West Africa.

Massaquoi acknowledged Nigeria’s position as the region’s largest economy, noting that policy and regulatory progress in Nigeria often has far-reaching effects on other West African countries.

Tackling cross-border roaming challenges

Massaquoi explained that since assuming office as Liberia’s chief telecoms regulator, the LTA has prioritised stronger ties with regional institutions to support ECOWAS’ integration agenda.

He said effective regional integration “cannot be achieved without affordable and reliable communications services,” particularly in addressing cross-border roaming challenges.

The LTA chairman disclosed that Liberia has already signed bilateral agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire.

He added that discussions are at advanced stages with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry, while reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to active participation in WATRA.

What’s next

The NCC assured the Liberian delegation of its readiness to support shared regional initiatives and to translate discussions into actionable outcomes.

Industry and public impact

For consumers, deeper cooperation could mean fewer dropped calls, cheaper roaming charges, and better internet quality when travelling across borders.

For businesses, it could unlock smoother digital payments, regional e-commerce growth, and more predictable regulatory environments.

For governments, stronger telecoms integration supports security coordination, economic data exchange, and digital public services.

Nigeria has marked the 2026 National Privacy Week, with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) warning telecom operators to strictly comply with data protection laws as digital services continue to expand across the country.

The annual event, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), aligns with Global Privacy Day, observed worldwide on 28 January.

This year’s observance is themed “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”

According to the NCC, the focus of the week is to “Empower the Data Subject, Strengthening Corporate Accountability, and Drive Economic Growth.”

Why it matters

Nigeria’s telecom sector underpins nearly every part of the economy, from banking and healthcare to education and e-commerce.

With the rapid rollout of 5G networks, the growing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and increased adoption of artificial intelligence, more personal data is being generated, stored and shared than ever before.

Regulators say this makes privacy protection a critical issue, not just for consumers, but for national economic growth and digital trust.

Regulator’s position

The NCC said data protection and privacy are fundamental to building trust, driving innovation and ensuring sustainable growth in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Commission said it is using National Privacy Week to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights, promoting responsible data governance and ensuring operators comply with established data protection standards.

What consumers should know

The Commission stressed that consumer call records, location data and digital identities must be handled in strict compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

Consumers who have concerns about how their data is handled by telecom providers are encouraged to use the NCC Consumer Portal or call the 622 toll-free line.

The NCC said it is also strengthening collaboration with the NDPC to ensure telecom licensees understand their obligations, while consumers remain aware of their rights.

What’s next

The NCC said it will continue working with regulators and industry stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s digital future balances innovation with the protection of citizens’ privacy.

The Commission also commended the NDPC and its leadership for organising the National Privacy Week and reaffirmed its support for initiatives that protect Nigerians while advancing the digital economy.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) say rising cases of fibre-optic cable damage during road construction and civil works are threatening Nigeria’s digital economy and national security.

Fibre cuts often lead to network outages, slow internet, disrupted banking services and downtime for businesses, affecting millions of users.

What the authorities are saying

In a statement on Sunday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, ACC Afolabi Babawale, warned that negligence leading to fibre-optic damage will no longer be tolerated.

He said avoidable fibre cuts caused by construction activities would no longer be excused, adding that offenders now risk prosecution.

The NCC and NSCDC stressed that fibre-optic cables are critical national assets that power Nigeria’s digital economy.

They said the infrastructure enables seamless communication, supports emergency services, connects businesses and facilitates government operations.

According to the agencies, destroying fibre-optic cables—through negligence, poor coordination or deliberate actions—poses “a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and public safety.”

Legal backing for enforcement

The agencies said telecommunications fibre infrastructure is officially recognised as Critical National Information Infrastructure under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024.

They warned that any damage resulting from unauthorised excavation, construction activities or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities constitutes a criminal offence.

Offenders, including individuals, construction firms and government contractors, could face prosecution under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

What construction firms are being told to do

The NCC and NSCDC issued a clear warning that future fibre damage caused by excavation, road construction or civil engineering work without proper consultation would attract strict legal consequences.

They urged federal, state and local government agencies, road contractors, utility providers and private developers to:

Conduct pre-construction verification of fibre routes

Collaborate with the NCC, telecom operators and NSCDC before and during construction

Adhere to approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines

Report accidental damage immediately to allow rapid response and mitigation

What’s next

The warning signals a tougher enforcement phase as Nigeria seeks to protect digital infrastructure critical to its economy and public safety.

Regulators say stronger collaboration between construction firms and telecom operators will be key to preventing future disruptions.