Abuja: The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set March 20 as the deadline for interested industry stakeholders to submit their comments on the ongoing review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000.
The Head of Public Affairs, NCC, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ukoha said that the submission was for those whose consultation paper had been published on the commission’s website.
Stakeholders are urged to submit their inputs by addressing them to the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission or by sending them to the dedicated email address stakeholders@ncc.gov.ng before the March 20 deadline.
She said that the consultation process was carried out in exercise of the commission’s functions under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, and upon the activation of the provisions of Section 24 (1) of the Act.
According to her, the NTP review follows the establishment of a Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) and a Ministerial Technical Committee (MTC).
She noted these committees, led by the Minister of Communications, oversee the review process.
Ukoha said the policy review would also align with the minister’s strategic blueprint, accelerating its implementation.
The blueprint says the ministry will review the telecoms policy to address spectrum management, universal access, broadband penetration, net neutrality, and quality of service.
The consultation’s outcome will help the MSC and the Implementation Committee (IC) produce a revised policy to meet current communications sector challenges.The review will reflect rapid sector changes since the NTP’s release 25 years ago.
The Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said in the consultation paper that this process will lead to the first draft of the NTP 2026.The development of the first draft of the NTP 2026.
Maida said this would replace the existing. The draft will undergo further consultations so stakeholders can add input before the final draft proceeds to approval and validation.
The NTP 2000 advanced Nigeria’s telecom from 500,000 to almost 180 million mobile lines as of December 2026. He stated the revised policy aims to address growing demand for data services and their effects.
This is the first step in the consultation, with additional engagements planned to ensure the final draft reflects broad stakeholder input and expertise. and inputs from a cross-section of stakeholders.”
Maida urged stakeholders to take the opportunity to participate in developing the policy that would take the communications sector to the next level, following the immeasurable successes achieved since 2000.
He said that the NTP 2000 marked a major progression from older policies, aiming for liberalisation, modernisation, and competition.
He explained that the NTP replaced the 1998 Policy, opening the way for mobile growth, and that the NCA 2003 followed by focusing on deregulation and consultation.
There are 15 key policy proposals that will guide review and possible changes to the NTP, setting the context and purpose for updates. context and policy purpose for necessary changes.
“The policy proposal caters to regulation of the industry, its sustainability, and emerging technologiesHe said feedback will guide the review and amendment of the NTP, in line with the NCA 2003. He said the consultation is open to licensees, consumers, government agencies, international partners, civil society, and all other interested stakeholders.duals and other interested stakeholders,” he said.
