NCC Presents Landmark Regulatory Impact Assessment Report on Telecom Subsidiary Legislation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled the outcome of its first-ever Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on Subsidiary Legislation 2024, in furtherance of its ongoing efforts to boost regulatory governance and modernise Nigeria’s telecommunications legal framework.

The presentation brought together key industry stakeholders, regulatory experts, and government representatives on June 26, 2025 to brainstorm on the findings, implications, and recommendations contained in the RIA report.

The assessment covered eight subsidiary legislations developed by the Commission in 2024.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, highlighted that the RIA is a evolutionary change to the rule-making processes of the Commission, adding that the RIA process involved months of rigorous internal analysis and meaningful stakeholder engagement to examine the relevance and efficiency of existing regulations in light of new technological realities and policy directions.

Whyte noted that the assessment focused on critical areas such as licensing, SIM registration, subscriber management, spectrum trading, enforcement procedures, and infrastructure sharing.

“Through this review, we have identified opportunities to streamline processes, clarify obligations and remove outdated provisions that may hinder innovation or investment.

“What distinguishes this RIA is the depth of collaboration it entails. We drew insights not only from internal analysis but also from the invaluable feedback of industry stakeholders. Their practical perspectives and constructive contributions helped shape the recommendations that we present today,” she emphasized.

She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based regulation, transparency, and industry collaboration, adding “The successful completion of this RIA demonstrates our unwavering dedication to building a regulatory environment that supports innovation, fairness, and transparency.”

In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, reiterated the strategic importance of the RIA to the Commission’s regulatory vision, adding that the initiative aligns with the Commission’s three strategic focus areas: consumers, licensees and the market, and government policy objectives.

Dr. Maida explained that the Commission prioritises the consumer as the heart of regulatory intervention, while the RIA specifically assess the impact of the subsidiary legislations on consumer satisfaction and Quality of Experience (QoE).

EVC NCC disclosed that the review was critical in understanding how the regulations influence market competition, reduce barriers to entry, and enable effective use of scarce resources.

He stated that on the part of the government, the RIA explored how regulations help to deliver national objectives and public interest goals.

Additionally, he said RIA aims to evaluate the impact of Subsidiary Legislations on licensees and the market—these are the second strategic focus area of the Commission.

“This evaluation is important in determining the adaptability and agility of these legislations in reducing barriers to market entrance, entrenching fair competition in the market and facilitating effective and efficient utilisation of scarce resources,” Dr Maida said.

He encouraged open and constructive engagement among stakeholders, noting that their insights will be invaluable in shaping the rule-making process and deepening the development, review and implementation of subsidiary legislations.

He also reiterated the NCC’s commitment to fostering a fair, transparent, and innovation-friendly regulatory environment.

According to the Commission, the RIA process is an innovation to its rule-making procedure and a vital tool used to evaluate the benefits, costs, and overall effectiveness of legal instruments.

The aim also is to ensure that the subsidiary legislations achieve their planned objectives efficiently while safeguarding public interest, stimulating innovation, and facilitating investment in the market.

Key outcomes of the RIA include identification of outdated provisions within the Commission’s existing regulatory instruments, as well as concrete recommendations to enhance implementation, streamline compliance, and align regulatory objectives with global best practices. The Commission emphasized that a balanced and agile regulatory framework will enhance competition, strengthen consumer protection, and drive sustainable industry growth.

The Commission also highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration between regulators, operators, and other stakeholders for the effective implementation of the RIA outcomes and promised to continue adapting its regulatory instruments in response to the dynamic nature of the communications sector in Nigeria.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly improve clarity, reduce bureaucracy, and foster a more competitive and innovation-driven telecoms environment.

The stakeholder engagement forum ended with a call for ongoing dialogue, accountability, and shared responsibility in shaping the future of Nigeria’s communications landscape, anchored on fairness, inclusivity, and national development as the Commission begins the process of integrating these findings into the legal and operational frameworks of the industry.