The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, has launched its maiden Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General, a strategic initiative aimed at harmonizing legal and regulatory frameworks to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.

The two-day event, themed “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria,” held at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, drew legal luminaries and regulators from across the country to tackle long-standing policy, taxation, and infrastructure challenges confronting the nation’s digital communications sector.

Maida: “Collaboration is not optional—it is essential”

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, in his opening remarks, underscored the urgency of bridging gaps between regulators and legal institutions to position Nigeria for digital excellence.

“The communications sector remains a vital enabler of innovation, commerce, governance, and inclusion,” said Dr. Maida. “However, to fully unlock its potential, we must tackle a range of challenges that cut across legal, regulatory, fiscal, and operational domains.”

He emphasized that as the sector advances into complex areas such as AI governance, digital resilience, and critical infrastructure protection, forward-looking and harmonized regulations are essential.

Maida also listed key concerns on the agenda, including:

Reform of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003)

Elimination of multiple taxation

Reducing regulatory overlaps

Operationalizing the 2024 Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII)

“Attorneys-General are not just legal officers; they are policymakers who can ensure innovation thrives within accountable and fair structures,” Maida added.

Fagbemi Calls for ‘Whole-of-Government’ Approach to Regulation

Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN, praised the NCC for convening the workshop, calling it “timely and essential.”

“Digital transformation is critical to the socio-economic development of any nation. A well-regulated communications sector ensures protection of privacy rights, data security, consumer rights, and promotes the ease of doing business,” Fagbemi said.

Citing the latest NCC data, he highlighted that Nigeria currently boasts over 220 million active voice subscriptions and a broadband penetration rate of over 52%—both of which are central to national growth in education, healthcare, and finance.

However, he warned that progress is being undermined by:

Multiple and inconsistent taxation from various tiers of government

Destruction of telecom infrastructure, especially in volatile areas

Regulatory overlaps that hamper investor confidence and compliance

Slow broadband rollout due to rights-of-way (ROW) policy conflicts

He referenced specific incidents, including:

The 2024 Ogun State multiple taxation crisis, which temporarily halted telecom expansion due to local government levies

The 2023 vandalization of base stations in Kano, which he described as acts of economic sabotage

Examples of Reform: Anambra and the Unified ROW Policy

Fagbemi commended states like Anambra, which in 2023 adopted a unified Right-of-Way policy, leading to a 38% increase in fibre optic expansion within six months.

“This is the kind of intergovernmental cooperation we need,” he said. “We must work together to eliminate regulatory bottlenecks and incentivize infrastructure growth.”

The Way Forward: Synergy, Harmonization, and Stronger Enforcement

Both speakers urged state Attorneys-General to use their offices to:

Recommend constitutional and policy reforms that protect digital infrastructure

Champion cybersecurity, data privacy, and user rights at the state level

Support streamlined, fair, and technology-friendly legal environments

Fagbemi proposed the creation of a Federal-State Regulatory Coordination Forum and recommended uniform adoption of Right-of-Way (ROW) implementation, a harmonized digital tax framework, and joint enforcement mechanisms.

“The judiciary, legislature, and executive must align in regulating communications to safeguard the economy and rights of all Nigerians,” he said. “Attorneys-General must be both legal interpreters and policy drivers in this new digital era.”

A Platform for Future Collaboration

Maida expressed hopes that the workshop would evolve into a recurring platform to encourage mutual learning and joint solutions, laying the foundation for deeper synergy in policy design and execution.

“We are committed to aligning NCC’s actions with national goals. Today is just the beginning of what must become a long-term partnership,” he concluded.

Nigeria’s leading 4G LTE broadband provider, Smile Communications has unveiled an exciting new campaign tagged #AllTimeSmileTime, encouraging customers to share the moments and places they enjoy seamless internet connectivity with Smile.

With Smile’s robust and expanding coverage across Nigeria, the brand is reinforcing its promise that quality internet access is not restricted to the office or home alone. Whether you are at a seminar, in church, relaxing at the park, hanging out with friends, or even studying at the library — anytime can be Smile time.

As part of the month-long campaign, Smile is asking customers a simple yet powerful question: “When is your Smile Time?” The aim is to celebrate real user experiences, elicit testimonials, and gather feedback that will help further improve and expand Smile’s offerings.

Speaking on the campaign, ‘Goke Olaleye (Head of Marketing Operations) at Smile Communications, said:

“#AllTimeSmileTime is more than just a hashtag. It’s a statement that wherever life takes you, Smile is right there with you. We’re excited to see how and where our customers are enjoying their Smile experience, and we invite everyone to share their Smile Time moments throughout the month of July.”

Customers are encouraged to join the conversation online by posting their photos, short videos, or testimonials using the hashtag #AllTimeSmileTime across social media platforms.

This interactive campaign is part of Smile’s commitment to delivering high-quality internet access and building a more connected digital lifestyle for Nigerians — wherever they may be.

About Smile Communications

Smile Communications provides 4G LTE mobile broadband in Nigeria With a growing network coverage, Smile continues to empower individuals and businesses to do more, connect more, and achieve more online.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has opened a public consultation process on three subsidiary legislations aimed at strengthening oversight and enhancing transparency within the country’s telecommunications sector.

In a notice released on July 25, 2025, the Commission published three consultation papers addressing Licensing Regulations 2019, Enforcement Processes Regulations 2019, and the Internet Code of Practice 2019.

According to the NCC, the release of these documents is in line with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which empowers the Commission to regulate and develop the communications industry in a manner that promotes fair competition, transparency, and consumer protection.

“The Consultation Papers have been published on the Commission’s website (www.ncc.gov.ng), and it expects comments and feedback on the regulatory proposals presented in the Consultation Papers,” the statement read.

Breakdown of the Consultation Papers

1. Licensing Regulations 2019 – Aims to streamline the process and criteria for granting telecommunications licenses in Nigeria.

2. Enforcement Processes Regulations 2019 – Seeks to clarify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and compliance procedures for industry stakeholders.

3. Internet Code of Practice 2019 – Sets guidelines on online conduct, data privacy, content regulation, and cybersecurity responsibilities for internet service providers and users.

Submission Guidelines

In its notice, the NCC called on interested stakeholders—including telecom operators, civil society, legal experts, and the general public—to submit written contributions on or before Friday, August 29, 2025.

All submissions should be directed to:

Dr. Aminu Maida,

Executive Vice Chairman,

Nigerian Communications Commission,

Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja

(Attention: Head, Legal and Regulatory Services)

Submissions can also be emailed to: stakeholders@ncc.gov.ng

“Interested stakeholders are, by this notice, invited to make written submissions on the Consultation Papers,” the Commission stated. “All submissions must reach the Commission on or before Friday, August 29, 2025.”

What This Means for Nigerians

The NCC’s decision to seek input from the public underscores a growing emphasis on participatory policy-making in Nigeria’s telecom space. It offers an opportunity for digital rights advocates, ISPs, legal experts, and citizens to shape how telecommunications services are governed in Nigeria.

This consultation also arrives at a time when concerns around data protection, cybercrime, and licensing transparency are at the forefront of public discourse.

Accessing the Papers

The consultation papers are publicly accessible at the NCC website: www.ncc.gov.ng