Telecom
Emerging Technologies, Cybersecurity, Others Form Key Focus of NCA 2003 Review
The House of Representatives Committee on Communications has commenced process to review the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, with Colloquium in Lagos, theme: ” The Nigerian Communications Act 2003, 22 Years After: Reassessing the Nigerian Communications Act, Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions for a Digital Nigeria”.
Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in his opening remarks, said that the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 represents a cornerstone of Nigeria’s telecommunications momentous evolution, and today, we are tasked with evaluating its impact, confronting its challenges, and charting a bold path toward a digitally inclusive and globally competitive Nigeria.
According to him, “when the Nigerian Communications Act was enacted over two decades ago, it heralded a new era for our nation’s telecommunications sector. By dismantling monopolistic barriers and establishing a transparent, independent regulatory framework, the Act empowered the Commission to midwife a sector that has become a bedrock of Nigeria’s economic and social progress.
“The explosion in telecommunications services, its availability and enablement of transformational changes in the Sector, are fruits of this bold legislative initiative by the vibrant Nigerian legislature.
“The numbers speak for themselves: mobile subscriptions have grown from less than 300 thousand in 2001 to over 150 million today. Internet penetration has surged, connecting millions to the digital economy, while the telecommunications sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product has risen to approximately 13.94% as of the 3rd quarter of 2024. Beyond statistics, the Act has enabled transformative innovations, mobile banking, e-commerce, digital communications and digital education—that have redefined how Nigerians live, work, and interact”.
Dr. Maida added that these milestones are a testament to the vision of the Act’s framers, the resilience of industry players, and the trust of Nigerian consumers.
“They reflect the power of collaboration between the legislature, regulator, operators, and stakeholders in building a sector that has become a global model for telecommunications liberalization in emerging markets.
“The global telecommunications industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by disruptive technologies such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, the Internet of Things, and blockchain. These advancements promise unprecedented opportunities but also pose complex challenges.
“In Nigeria, while urban centres enjoy robust connectivity, rural and underservedcommunities still grapple with limited access, highlighting the persistent digital divide.
Infrastructure deficits, including inadequate power supply and the high cost of right-of way approvals, are hindering network expansion. Cybersecurity threats loom larger as our reliance on digital platforms grows, with Nigeria recording a significant uptick in cyber-attacks targeting critical sectors.
“Moreover, the economics of the telecommunications industry are under strain. Operators face rising operational costs, exacerbated by inflation, currency volatility, and the need for substantial capital investment to deploy next-generation technologies.
“Consumers, while demanding faster, cheaper, and more reliable services, often face affordability constraints, particularly in low-income communities. These challenges underscore a critical truth: while the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 was visionary for its time, the realities of 2025 require us to re-examine its provisions to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
“This Colloquium, therefore, is both timely and strategic. It offers a rare opportunity to take stock of the Act’s strengths, address its gaps, and reimagine its role in powering Nigeria’s digital future”.
Also speaking at the occasion, HON. Peter Ohiozojeh Akpatason, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Communications, said that the colloquium aims to among others; – Review the impact of the Nigerian Communication Act 2003 on our telecommunications sector.
– Identify challenges and opportunities arising from technological advancements and changing market dynamics.
– Discuss future directions for a Digital Nigeria, leveraging insights from industry experts and stakeholders.
He stated that it will explore key areas, such as: – Regulatory frameworks and their impact on competition and innovation.
– Emerging technologies and their potential applications in Nigeria.
– Digital inclusion and access to telecommunications services.
– Cybersecurity and data protection in the digital age.
“This event will provide a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, insights, and recommendations, with a view to: – Identifying areas for improvement in the Act.
– Develop strategies for promoting digital growth and innovation.
– Foster collaboration among industry stakeholders.
“As such, we must, consider strategies to bridge this divide, including infrastructure development and affordable access initiatives.
“Also, the sector faces increasing cybersecurity threats, which require robust measures to protect citizens and businesses.
“Therefore, we have to consider strengthening our cybersecurity frameworks, enhancing incident response capabilities, and promoting international cooperation to combat cyber threats.
“The Act’s regulatory framework has to be strengthened to promote innovation, competition, and investment. We therefore have to consider revising the Act to address emerging issues, such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, and to ensure that our regulatory framework is flexible and adaptable to changing market conditions.
“We must consider strategies to promote digital entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment, including tax incentives, funding opportunities, and skills development programs. The new Act has to encourage measures for promoting innovation, including research and development initiatives, innovation hubs, and partnerships with international organizations,” he stated.
As Africa and MENA’s startup ecosystems transition from post-correction resilience into a new phase of disciplined growth, the Africa Startup & VC Landscape Preview (ASVLP 2026) will convene leading founders, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders on January 29, 2026, for its second annual, agenda-setting virtual forum.
Following a challenging global venture cycle, 2025 marked a notable rebound across the African ecosystem, with startups raising an estimated $3.2–$3.3 billion over the full year.
The recovery was accompanied by significant structural shifts: Kenya emerged as the leading destination among Africa’s “Big Four” markets for the first time, while Nigeria recorded a year-on-year funding decline, reflecting changing investor preferences, macroeconomic pressures, and a broader recalibration toward capital efficiency and sustainability.
Sectorally, fintech remained the most funded vertical, while climate & energy, AI-enabled solutions, healthtech, and infrastructure-adjacent businesses gained increasing attention. Across Africa and MENA, development finance institutions (DFIs) and family offices played a more pronounced role in anchoring funds, deploying catalytic capital, and supporting blended-finance structures, reshaping how early-stage and growth capital is mobilized.
ASVLP 2026 is designed to translate these data points into forward-looking strategy.
The forum will bring together venture capitalists, angel investors, LPs, DFIs, family offices, founders, corporate leaders, and regulators from Africa, MENA, Europe, and North America to assess 2025 outcomes and chart priorities for 2026.
The program will feature keynotes, fireside chats, panels, and deep-dive roundtables, including discussions on:
· The 2026 Africa & MENA FinTech Landscape, focusing on security, profitability, regulation, and growth frontiers
· Emerging Fund Managers, capital formation, and LP alignment
· Talent, operator depth, and institutional capacity as constraints to scale
· Regulatory evolution and cross-border market integration
A major highlight of ASVLP 2026 will be the Final DealRoom Pitch Session, where a curated group of high-potential startups will present to an experienced panel of investors.
• Founders can apply to pitch via: bit.ly/ASVLP-DR-Founders
• Investors seeking DealRoom access can request entry via: bit.ly/ASVLP-DR-Investors
Confirmed speakers for ASVLP 2026 include Khaled Ismail (HIMangel), Idris Ayodeji Bello (LoftyInc Capital), Zachariah George (Launch Africa), Tosin Faniro-Dada (Breega), Selma Ribica (FirstCircle Capital), Maha Mandour (COREangels MEA), Joe Kinvi (Borderless), Remi Prunier (Orange Ventures MEA), Karima El Hakim (Plug and Play Tech Center), Souheil Guessoum (President, The Confederation of Citizen Employers – Algeria (CAPC)), Remi Prunier (Partner, Orange Ventures, MEA), Maha Mandour (COREAngels MEA), Ali Hussein (President, Kenyan FinTech Association), Patrick Okebu (CIO, Interswitch Group) among other leading voices shaping capital, policy, and innovation across the region.
“The conversation has shifted,” said Uche Aniche, Convener of ASVLP. “It’s no longer about whether capital will return to Africa and MENA, but what kind of capital, deployed with what discipline, and in service of which long-term outcomes. ASVLP exists to help the ecosystem make sense of that transition.”
Participation in ASVLP 2026 is free but strictly by invitation.
Interested participants are encouraged to repost the official announcement on LinkedIn and comment #ASVLP2026 to receive a private registration link. They could also email [email protected] and request invite.
Major social media giants Meta Platforms, TikTok and Alphabet’s YouTube will face a landmark jury trial this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court over allegations that their addictive designs have fuelled a youth mental health crisis, marking the first such case to reach this stage.
Social Media
The pivotal personal injury lawsuit centres on a 19-year-old Californian woman identified as K.G.M., who claims her childhood immersion in Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok—engineered with endless scrolls, autoplay videos, notifications and algorithms—sparked severe anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Dozens of similar suits have surged since 2022 from families, schools and states, accusing the firms of burying internal research on teen harms while prioritising ad revenue through youth-targeted engagement hooks, despite Section 230 protections for user content.
Plaintiffs seek damages and design overhauls, arguing platforms bypassed parents and preyed on vulnerable kids; defendants counter there’s no clinical “social media addiction” diagnosis, no proven causation—kids with issues often use less—and they’ve added safeguards like parental controls and time limits.
Echoing Australia’s under-16 bans, the trial will scrutinise thousands of internal documents, expert testimonies and K.G.M.’s story, potentially expanding tech liability amid debates where studies show complex links, not direct causation, between screen time and disorders like eating issues or self-harm.
A win could mandate warning labels, age gates or algorithm tweaks, reshaping global platforms as U.S. Surgeon General advisories and global scrutiny intensify pressure on Big Tech to prioritise child safety over profits.
Meta is gearing up to trial paid subscription services on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, aiming to diversify revenue streams beyond advertising while maintaining free core access for all users.
Meta
The subscriptions will offer enhanced tools tailored for everyday users, creators, and businesses, including advanced content creation, sharing, and workflow features distinct from the existing Meta Verified verification program. Unlike a uniform rollout, Meta plans varied testing formats per app to match diverse audiences, experimenting with feature bundles based on user feedback to refine the model.
A key element involves integrating Manus, the autonomous agent firm Meta acquired for $2 billion in December, into these apps alongside its enterprise sales. Manus enables complex task automation with minimal input, with early signs like Instagram shortcuts already spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi.
Video tools feature prominently: Meta’s Vibes short-form video generator in the Meta AI app shifts to freemium, where paid tiers unlock higher monthly creation limits beyond the free baseline. On Instagram, subscriptions could enable unlimited audience lists, non-follower tracking, and anonymous Story views, though specifics for Facebook and WhatsApp remain under wraps.
Drawing from Meta Verified’s 2023 launch—which provides badges, support, and protection mainly for creators—these broader plans target wider appeal amid industry shifts. Ad growth slows against TikTok competition, while Snapchat+ boasts 16 million subscribers at $3.99 monthly, proving demand for value-driven paid perks despite subscription fatigue risks from streaming and storage fees.
Meta will phase tests gradually, prioritizing feedback to shape long-term viability without alienating free users.
NITDA, NBC Explore Strategic Collaboration on Digital Transformation, Media Regulation
NDIC Seeks EFCC’s Support to Trace, Recover Assets of Failed Banks
Interpol Arrests over 570 Cybercriminals across Africa
NIGCOMSAT Adopts Government’s Performance System
ASVLP 2026: Africa, MENA VCs Gear Up as Tech Funding Hits $4.1bn Rebound
19 Nigerian Banks Meet CBN Recapitalization Targets Ahead of March Deadline
Jumia CEO says Black Friday Signals Nigeria’s E-Commerce Maturity
Galaxy Backbone Celebrates the Federal Government’s Paperless Civil Service Milestone
DStv Offers Instant Package Upgrade for Customers from January to February
Banks to Impose N50 Stamp Duty on Transfers of N10,000 and Above from January 1
News3 days agoLIRS to Invoke NTAA to Recover Unpaid Taxes from Bank Accounts, Others
News3 days agoAnambra Cuts Monday Pay to Kill Sit-at-Home
E-Financial3 days agoFirst Asset Management Receives Upgraded Ratings from Agusto &Co and DataPro
E-Financial3 days agoNIBSS, Others Flag 13,417 Nigerian Fraudsters on Person of Interest Portal
E-Financial3 days agoCBN Prepares Fresh Debit Card Rules to Improve ATM Services
General News3 days agoNigeria Treats Religious Violence as Attack on State – NSA Ribadu
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Upgrades Licences of Opay, Moniepoint, Kuda, Palmpay, Paga to National Status
News2 days agoTech Executives Double Down on AI, Talent and Adaptive Strategies to Lead in the Intelligence Age