In a bid to deepen innovation value chain and nurture homegrown solutions, the nation’s regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called on stakeholders in the telecommunication industry, to band together to ensure deliberate ways of innovating for the future.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida made this call during the Stakeholders Forum on General Authorisation Framework for The Nigerian Telecoms Industry on Thursday.
While noting that the telecommunications industry remains a catalyst for national development, and a symbol of innovation and progress, revolutionising communication, improving access to information, and reshaping business operations, the EVC highlighted the phenomenal growth of the sector in Nigeria.
“In the last 24 years, following the liberalization of the sector, we have witnessed tremendous transformation leading to the achievement of over 79.65% teledensity and a Broadband Penetration of 48.81 as at May 2025.
This progress has been driven by the rapid uptake of mobile technologies, surging data consumption, and an increasing appetite for digital services. But we are now at a turning point, where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling.
Broadband Penetration continues to grow, while digital literacy is on the rise. These are creating a solid foundation for a vibrant digital economy driven by accessibility, innovation, and inclusivity,” he highlighted.
While also acknowledging the global innovations in technology, Maida said modern regulation must be designed to enable innovation rather than hinder it, which has formed the objective at the core of the Commission’s latest initiative – the General Authorisation Framework.
“This reform introduces a flexible and responsive regulatory licensing approach that is structured to embrace new and emerging services that fall outside the existing License Structure,” he explained.
The EVC further noted that by adopting this approach, the NCC is providing a platform for innovators of various sizes, whether they are startups or established companies, to demonstrate feasibility, assess risk, and measure outcomes before deployment. This model, he said, encourages experimentation and responsible innovation while safeguarding consumer rights and public interest.
According to Maida, the newly introduced framework has three key instruments that include:
- Proof-of-Concept pilots to validate novel ideas in real-world environments.
- A Regulatory Sandbox, which allows innovators to test solutions—such as Open RAN trials, or dynamic spectrum sharing—under controlled and risk-managed conditions.
- An Interim Service Authorisation for services that do not yet fit within existing license categories.
While noting that regulation is not enough to get the desired mileage, he charged stakeholders to be intentionally futuristic by expanding access, closing connectivity gaps, and empowering our youth, women, and underserved communities through inclusive innovation.
“You, our stakeholders, are central to the success of this framework. Mobile Network Operators, Service Providers, Infrastructure Companies, OEMs, startups, civil society, and academia all have a role to play. Your insights, your ideas, and your partnership are critical in refining this approach and making sure that it works for Nigeria.”
He called for collaboration and commitment to building a resilient and innovative ecosystem among stakeholders as a means of sustaining the growth momentum in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
In conclusion, the EVC summarised the benefit of the new framework: “Through the General Authorisation Framework, we are unlocking new pathways for experimentation, market entry, and growth. Let us work together to deepen the innovation value chain, nurture homegrown solutions, build investor confidence, and ensure that the dividends of digital transformation reach every corner of our society.”
