Telecom
What Stakeholders Expect as Telecom policy is Under Review
For any transformation or development to take place in any sector of an economy be it in developed or developing countries such as Nigeria, a legal framework is required to guide such transformation. It is the legal framework if adhered to that will provide the direction such transformation or reform should go.
It also provide fundamental guideline on the activities of players in the industry, such as what operators as the case may be are expected to do in their operational activities as well as government intervention that will provide level playing ground to ensure that operators are given equal opportunity to compete.
This was the case in the country’s telecommunications sector in 2000 when the federal government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo decided to liberalize the telecommunications sector. Government then put together a legal framework, the National Telecommunications Policy, which was designed to herald the expected liberalization of the sector. It is also the policy that guides Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in its regulatory framework as well as gave opportunity for inflow of both foreign and local investment in the sector.
The September 2000 National Telecommunications Policy assisted in moving the country from 400,000 active telephone lines in 2001 to the present 75 million lines among other achievements.
It is against this backdrop and the need to foster development in the sector as well as address other challenges in the sector, that the federal government through Alhaji Ikra Biblis, Minister of State for Information and Communications, few weeks ago inaugurated a 25-man committee in Abuja to undertake the task of reviewing the current National Telecommunications Policy. He said the policy was being reviewed due to new trends in the industry, which have made the current document outdated.
He said the review is crucial to government’s efforts at developing the telecommunications sector to meet short, medium and long-term goals, initiative measurement of national growth indicators. The committee, chaired by Mr. Isaiah Mohammed, the former executive director, Nigerian Telecommunications (Nitel), has three months to submit its recommendations.
The minister said the previous document had helped Nigeria to surpass the ITU’ teledensity figure of one line to 100 people in three years.
Biblis said: “In less than 10 years, we have more than 75 million active lines in the various networks, and the teledensity figures have gone beyond 50 per cent mark as against the 10 per cent envisaged by the policy in 2000”.
The minister said the review of the blueprint should have been done at least once before now because of the rapid growth in the sector. “Some of the areas the document focused on in September 2000 may have been eroded with time” he said.
The committee comprising experts in the industry, government officials and journalists was asked to examine issues arising from the rapid global telecommunications growth, the evolution of new media and the challenge of information security for the new policy regime.
Mohammed expressed the readiness of members of the committee to meet the expectations of the government.
“In the light of development of the sector and to stay ahead of international recommendations, the committee will ensure that telecommunications is delivered to every part of Nigeria. We have to deliver and we shall deliver,” he sad.
Stakeholders’ expectations
Ernest Ndukwe, executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, said that he expects the committee to produce an update policy that would transform the industry.
He said: “Telecommunication is a highly fast-changing industry and therefore, we need to keep pace with global trend. The review is a good initiative that will give investors a roadmap for investment in the future.”
Ndukwe listed areas the committee should address as Internet and need to look at a case where the entire country is covered by transmission infrastructure and its broadband infrastructure is expanded”.
Lanre Ajayi, chairman, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), said that the current policy lead emphasizes on telephone which it has been achieved going by the growth in teledensity. He said what the country need now is broadband infrastructure, stating that the new policy should reflect that, which will therefore bring issues such as online applications, cyber security and evidence act. “How we intend to go about these should be addressed by the new policy,” he said.
He added that the implementation of the existing policy was successful in that the telephone penetration target it set out to achieve was surpassed. He expressed optimism that the new policy expected to address other areas of telecommunications as well as lay foundation for development in the sector will be met when it is final reviewed and release for implementation.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (Alton) said the current National Telecommunications policy had a five year action plan and have met and surpassed the expectations of government and stakeholders in the industry. He noted that as at 2000 when the policy was promulgated it was not envisage that the industry will record 75 million active subscriber lines which is an indication of tremendous growth in the sector.
Adebayo who is also member of the review committee added that a review is necessary as technology is dynamic as well as challenges of the industry which is a product of growth in the sector.
He said that there is need to fashion the policy in order to address those industry challenges. According to him, due to rapid changes in technology, there is need for the policy to preempt technology and accommodate foreseen as well as unforeseen developments. It should also protect infrastructure and service providers, as well as address the issue of convergence where technology has brought broadcasting and communications together.
He added that the new National Telecommunications Policy must be prepared to accommodate such convergence. He however pledge the committee readiness to carry out the task of bringing out a draft that will address issues in the industry required for development of the sector and the country in general.
Achievements of the current policy
Nigeria is one of the biggest and fastest growing telecom markets in Africa, attracting huge amounts of foreign investment, and is yet standing at relatively low levels of market penetration. Far reaching liberalisation has led to hundreds of companies providing virtually all kinds of telecom and value-added services in an independently regulated market. The mobile sector, which has seen triple digit growth rates five years in a row since competition was introduced, has been joined by a number of additional players under a new unified licensing regime which is expected to also boost the country’s underdeveloped Internet and broadband sector. Third generation mobile and WiMAX wireless broadband services are being rolled out at a rapid pace.
Nigeria has overtaken South Africa to become the continent’s largest mobile market with now over 74 million subscribers, and yet market penetration stands at less than 50% in early 2010. The network operators are investing billions of US$ to expand their networks and improve the quality of service in order to avoid sanctions by the industry regulator, NCC. 3G services have been launched, and increased competition comes from an array of additional players who have entered the lucrative mobile market. Declining ARPU levels are forcing the operators to introduce new services and transform themselves into converged broadband service providers.
Nigeria, today records a strong standing in the world information society due to the quantum growth telecom has ushered in the last decade.
In the past eight years of telecommunications sector liberalisation, NCC sources say subscriptions to telephone services have risen to the current level of over 74 Million active connected lines. This growth and advancement in telecommunications within the last decade has improved the nation’s ICT ranking in the world and has positively impacted all sectors of the nation’s economy. Nigeria has also become Africa’s largest telecom market.
The achievements in the industry so far can be attributed largely to the foresight by government in implementing a successful sector reform and providing the enabling and conducive environment with respect to policies and regulatory regime. The federal government has proven its commitment to promoting a regulatory environment that is independent, fair, transparent and predictable".
Before the licensing of the Digital Mobile Operators in 2001, private investment in the telecommunications sector in Nigeria stood at about $US50 million. Between 2001 and now, the sector has attracted about $US18 billion in direct local and foreign investment. These high investment levels have been attained because Nigeria has become one of the most desired investment destinations for ICT in Africa not just due to the potential of the market but also due to the stable policy and regulatory regime.
The role of the policy maker must of necessity be separate from that of the regulator. The situation where the policy maker tries regulating the industry when there is a regulatory body in place would run contrary to International best practice, and creates regulatory uncertainty which investors do not like.
Maintaining a stable and predictable operating environment is essential for attracting investment and avoiding actions that can constitute a disincentive for investment or challenge the sustainability of returns on investment capital. The telecoms sector is very capital intensive and therefore, to continue network expansion, improve quality of service and increase coverage in Nigeria, emphasis must be on ensuring an attractive operating environment.
Stakeholders are optimistic that the committee with their practical experience in the industry will produce an ensuring National Telecommunications Policy that will usher in the next frontier in the growth and development of the sector.
Clydestone Ghana Plc has filed a writ of summons and statement of claim against MTN Ghana, MTN Group Limited and Mobile Money Fintech Limited, alleging unauthorized use of its intellectual property.
The company announced the court action at the Ghana Stock Exchange, confirming proceedings in the Commercial Division of the High Court of Ghana.
The case relates to work commissioned in 2007 that Clydestone alleges was later used without authorisation or compensation.
Clydestone said the claim involves proprietary intellectual property, confidential commercial information and operational methodology developed during the engagement. The company is seeking declarations, damages and equitable remedies.
In a statement, Clydestone said MTN Ghana engaged it in 2007 to develop a commercial and operational framework for a mobile money business.
“The work was developed and delivered by the company’s founder and Group CEO, Paul Jacquaye, and included a full mobile money ecosystem covering the commercial model, operational architecture, implementation methodology and business case.”
Clydestone said the work was commissioned on the understanding that a non-disclosure agreement and memorandum of understanding would be signed.
It alleges these agreements were not finalised despite repeated requests.
The company further alleges MTN Ghana later used its proprietary work and methodology without authorisation or compensation, including in MTN Mobile Money Ghana and other markets.
Clydestone said the alleged use has continued since the launch of MTN Mobile Money Ghana in 2009.
“The wrongful use of that work has been ongoing since 2009. What has changed is the availability of independently verifiable information that documents its scale and commercial significance,” the company said.
It cited the GSMA State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026 and MTN Ghana’s 2025 annual report as evidence of the platform’s scale.
According to Clydestone, the reports show approximately 19.3 million active users and annual revenue of about GHS 6.0 billion ($516m).
The company said it reviewed its records following these publications and concluded there were sufficient grounds to initiate legal proceedings.
It added that it has received no payment or acknowledgement for the work since December 2007, and that pre-action correspondence in 2026 received no substantive response.
“The Board of Directors has unanimously authorised the commencement of these proceedings,” the company said.
Jacquaye said: “This case is about accountability for commissioned intellectual property.
“When independent publications in 2025 and 2026 revealed the scale of the mobile money business, we reviewed all documentation relating to the original engagement and concluded these proceedings were necessary.”
MTN Group Limited, named as a defendant, had not commented at the time of publication.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital inclusion through strategic partnerships aimed at equipping underserved communities with digital skills and access to technology.
Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, Director, Digital Development Services representing the Director General of NITDA, and the Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, alongside members of their respective delegations, pose for a group photograph following a strategic engagement on advancing digital literacy, capacity building, and digital inclusion for women, youth, and underserved communities.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, Mrs Faith Ayuba, to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr Oluwunmi Oladejo, Inuwa said collaboration with community-based organisations remained central to NITDA’s vision of ensuring that no Nigerian was left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey.
He noted that feedback from beneficiary communities demonstrated the long-term impact of the agency’s interventions across the country.
“It is always gratifying to receive feedback from communities that have benefited from our interventions.
“Many of these projects were implemented years ago, and it is rewarding to know they are still creating opportunities,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that the agency continued to monitor the performance of its intervention centres nationwide while leveraging emerging technologies to enhance digital learning and virtual capacity-building.
According to him, the National Digital Literacy Framework remains the foundation of NITDA’s efforts to equip children, students, artisans, farmers, professionals and other groups with digital competencies needed in a technology-driven economy.
Responding to requests for additional support, Inuwa disclosed that the agency would consider training community-based instructors to sustain digital literacy initiatives at the grassroots.
He encouraged the foundation to submit a formal request, accompanied by evidence of activities at its digital centre, to facilitate further intervention.
The director-general, however, acknowledged that maintaining internet connectivity across numerous intervention centres nationwide remained a major funding challenge.
He stressed the need for innovative financing models and stronger collaboration to ensure the sustainability of digital inclusion projects.
Earlier, Ayuba commended NITDA for its openness to partnerships and its commitment to supporting initiatives that deliver measurable impact in underserved communities.
She described the agency as one of the few government institutions that prioritised impactful programmes over personal connections.
According to her, the Cal-Maji Foundation focuses on improving access to education, strengthening food systems, enhancing food security and providing social protection for women and young people, particularly in remote communities.
Ayuba said NITDA’s Knowledge Access Centre, established at the foundation’s community school in a border community in Kogi State, had significantly transformed learning by providing students and residents with access to computers, internet services and digital education.
“The ICT centre became an equaliser.
“Young people who ordinarily would never have had access to computers or the internet suddenly had the opportunity to acquire digital knowledge.
“We came back simply to say thank you because this partnership has changed lives,” she said.
She disclosed that more than 1,000 children had benefited from the foundation’s educational programmes.
Ayuba also presented a former student who progressed from the community school to a Nigerian university after utilising the digital resources available at the centre.
She described the student’s achievement as evidence of the enduring impact of the collaboration.
The foundation’s executive director appealed for deeper collaboration through the training of community instructors, upgrading of computer systems and expanded access to NITDA’s digital capacity-building programmes.
She stressed that rural communities must not be left behind as Nigeria advances in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital innovation.
The meeting ended with both organisations reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration to expand digital opportunities, promote inclusive technology adoption and support Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled the National Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Framework to improve software quality, strengthen cybersecurity and enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and government services.
The framework, approved by the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, under the provisions of the NITDA Act 2007, establishes national standards for the design, testing and deployment of software across Federal Government institutions, regulated industries and the broader digital ecosystem.
According to the agency, the initiative is aimed at reducing costly information technology failures, improving service delivery and ensuring that software powering critical national infrastructure meets globally accepted quality standards.
The framework comprises three regulatory instruments, namely the National Software Development Guideline, the National Software Testing Guideline and the Software Testing Organisations Licensing (STOL) Guideline.
NITDA explained that the National Software Development Guideline mandates structured software development processes, secure coding practices based on the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP), standardised system documentation and compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA for citizen-facing digital services.
The National Software Testing Guideline introduces mandatory testing benchmarks covering software functionality, cybersecurity, system performance under peak demand and interoperability before deployment.
Under the STOL Guideline, independent Licensed Software Testing Organisations (LSTOs) will be accredited and regulated to evaluate and certify software before it is deployed.
The agency stated that all Federal Government software projects would now be required to undergo independent third-party testing and obtain official certification before deployment.
It added that compliance with the framework would become a mandatory requirement for obtaining IT Project Clearance.
To strengthen risk management, the framework introduces a three-tier software classification model based on the criticality of systems.
Under the classification, Class A covers high-risk and critical national infrastructure such as core banking systems, national identity platforms and electricity grid control systems.
Class B applies to medium-risk enterprise platforms, while Class C covers lower-risk internal software applications.
NITDA said Class A systems would undergo more rigorous security assessments, including advanced penetration testing and specialised audits conducted by top-tier accredited software testing organisations.
The agency identified three major benefits of the framework.
It said the initiative would improve the reliability and security of digital public services, protect government investments from software failures and cyber threats, and enhance service delivery to citizens.
It also noted that regulating independent software testing would stimulate the growth of Nigeria’s software assurance industry, create employment opportunities for technology professionals and promote indigenous innovation.
According to NITDA, the framework will further strengthen international confidence in locally developed software, enabling Nigerian technology companies to compete more effectively in global markets and attract foreign investment.
Speaking on the development, Inuwa said quality remained fundamental to building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Quality is the foundation of digital trust.
“With this Framework, every software solution serving Nigerians, whether built for government or the private sector, will meet clear national standards for security, reliability and interoperability.
“This is how we modernise government technology and position Nigerian software to compete on the global stage,” he said.
The agency disclosed that the framework would take full effect in the second quarter of 2027.
It said the implementation period would include nationwide stakeholder engagement, capacity-building programmes and the accreditation of software testing organisations.
NITDA added that an Expression of Interest (EOI) would soon be issued to qualified organisations seeking licences to operate as independent software testing bodies under the new regulatory regime.
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