The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and digital integration among telecommunications regulators in the West African sub-region.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, reaffirmed this position when the Commission hosted a high-level delegation from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) at its headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Maida who was represented by the Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo said the NCC remained committed to continuous collaboration with sister regulatory institutions within the sub-region and beyond to drive the expansion of the digital economy and improve citizens’ quality of life.
He noted that the Commission’s long-standing engagement through platforms such as the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) reflected its belief that the region become stronger and more prosperous when all countries are digitally interconnected.
Maida further emphasized that collaboration is a core driver of the NCC Board, stressing that sustained engagement with regional partners is essential to advancing the interests of telecommunications consumers and industry stakeholders.
He recalled the NCC’s advocacy for the recognition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as critical national infrastructure within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), adding that Nigeria has already designated ICT as part of its critical national information infrastructure to ensure sustainable sector growth.
The EVC assured the Liberian delegation of the NCC’s readiness to support shared regional initiatives and to translate discussions into actionable outcomes that will benefit the sub-region.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Hon. Clarence Massaquoi, commended the NCC for its openness and leadership in promoting regional coordination, describing the engagement as vital to strengthening regulatory effectiveness across West Africa.
Massaquoi acknowledged Nigeria’s position as the region’s largest economy and a central player in Africa’s communications, security, and economic architecture, noting that progress recorded by Nigeria often has ripple effects across other West African countries.
He explained that the LTA has prioritized building stronger relationships with regional institutions to advance ECOWAS’ integration agenda, stressing that effective regional integration cannot be achieved without affordable and reliable communications services, particularly in addressing cross-border roaming challenges.
The LTA Chairman disclosed that Liberia has signed bilateral telecommunications agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire and is at an advanced stage of discussions with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to active participation in WATRA.
Massaquoi also sought the NCC’s support in regulatory capacity building and the sharing of best practices, especially as Liberia reviews its licensing framework to accommodate emerging technologies and align with regional standards.
Both regulators underscored the importance of sustained collaboration, identification of priority areas for engagement, and joint initiatives aimed at promoting seamless connectivity, regional integration, and socio-economic development across West Africa.
