Nearly two years into his tenure as Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida is being credited with leading a transformative era in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, marked by sustainability, transparency, and robust economic impact.

Under Maida’s leadership, the NCC has aligned its strategic priorities with the federal government’s digital economy agenda, anchored on a five-pillar vision: People, Collaboration, Data-Driven Decision Making, Compliance, and Digitisation. The blueprint complements Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani’s national strategy, which emphasizes knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, capital, and trade.

The telecommunications industry’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has soared to 14.58% as of Q1 2024—nearly double the 7.6% recorded in 2014. Since Maida assumed office, mobile network operators have collectively remitted over ₦2 trillion in taxes and levies to federal and state governments, covering corporate income tax, value-added tax, and sector-specific fees.

“The sector’s performance in 2024 has been phenomenal,” said Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). “I must appreciate the leadership of the industry and particularly the regulatory role of the NCC. The Commission and the Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, have implemented business-friendly policies that enabled this growth.”

Significant infrastructure investments are also reshaping the telecom landscape. MTN Nigeria plans to invest approximately ₦900 billion in 2025 to expand its network and safeguard fibre optic infrastructure. Airtel Nigeria has earmarked about $725 million for capital expenditures to fuel network expansion.

These investments are translating into job creation, with the NCC estimating that around 2.3 million direct and indirect jobs have been generated. Local content development has also received a boost, empowering indigenous service providers and suppliers.

Dr. Maida has made transparency and regulatory compliance core to his administration. “Transparency is key. It is by transparency that we can self-regulate even as regulators,” Maida said during a courtesy visit to Minister Tijani.

At a recent meeting with telecom industry stakeholders, Maida underscored the importance of user satisfaction: “Quality of Experience will not be negotiable. The Commission will take compliance seriously, and a minimum standard will be set and enforced.”

In 2024, the NCC introduced stringent Quality of Service Regulations for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, setting measurable thresholds for call drop rates, setup success, and traffic congestion. Operators that fall short face penalties starting at ₦5 million, plus an additional ₦500,000 for each day violations persist.

To ensure regulatory efficiency, the Commission has embraced a data-driven approach, leveraging monthly performance reports, drive tests, and consumer feedback to assess and enforce service standards.

Digitisation within the Commission is also a top priority. Internal processes are being streamlined to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. Broadband access, considered a critical enabler of financial inclusion and the digital economy, is central to the NCC’s roadmap.

Highlighting this focus, Maida revealed plans to revamp the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos, calling it “an asset in driving a knowledge-based economy, in line with the ‘Knowledge Pillar’ of the Strategic Plan unveiled by the Minister.”

Since September 2023, 5G coverage by MTN Nigeria has expanded from 7.5% to over 12% of the population, with similar growth recorded by Mafab Communications and Airtel Nigeria. These expansions are being guided by supportive regulatory frameworks.

Consumer protection remains a key focus, with the Commission’s interventions preventing service disruptions for over 100 million subscribers and halting unauthorized charges—saving consumers billions of naira annually.

The NCC is now preparing to launch a National Roaming Framework to extend coverage to underserved regions and enhance cybersecurity for critical national infrastructure.

“As we look to the future, we are building a telecom ecosystem that is inclusive, secure, and resilient,” Maida said. “Our goal is to ensure this industry continues to drive innovation, employment, and economic prosperity for all Nigerians.”

With nearly two years of reform under his belt, Dr. Maida’s leadership has laid a solid foundation for continued growth—benefiting industry operators, the government, and over 220 million Nigerian consumers.