The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled the outcome of its Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on eight key subsidiary legislations enacted in 2024, marking a transformative step in the Commission’s commitment to transparent, consumer-focused, and innovation-driven regulatory processes.
The report was presented on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, during a Stakeholder Engagement Forum held in Abuja, drawing participation from across the telecommunications ecosystem.
In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized that the RIA initiative was introduced as a strategic innovation to deepen stakeholder engagement and regulatory inclusivity. He noted that the RIA focused on three strategic areas the Consumer, Licensees and the Market, and the Government ensuring the new legislative instruments are robust, responsive, and aligned with national policy goals.
“The RIA process provided stakeholders an opportunity to evaluate the Commission’s regulations and recommend improvements that will enhance the relevance and effectiveness of our subsidiary legislations,” Dr. Maida stated.
He reiterated that the NCC remains committed to fostering a regulatory framework that promotes market sustainability, consumer protection, fair competition, and efficient resource utilization.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the Commission, described the RIA as “an evolutionary change” in the NCC’s rule-making process and a landmark in evidence-based regulation. She noted that the assessment covered critical areas including licensing, SIM registration, subscriber management, spectrum trading, enforcement procedures, and infrastructure sharing.
“This RIA is not just the result of months of rigorous work and analysis it reflects our collective commitment to continuous improvement. It will guide the Commission’s regulatory reform agenda to better align with current realities and future aspirations,” she said.
Mrs. Whyte highlighted the inclusive approach of the RIA, which incorporated practical feedback from stakeholders, industry experts, and internal analyses, thereby enhancing the legitimacy and acceptability of the report’s recommendations.
The presentation concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among stakeholders as the Commission moves into the next phase of updating and amending relevant subsidiary legislations in line with the findings of the RIA.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment initiative reinforces NCC’s forward-looking regulatory stance, positioning it as a model for participatory governance and smart regulation within the digital economy landscape.
