The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, has underscored the importance of vision, policy clarity, and sustained innovation in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Dr. Maida made the remarks while speaking at the Enugu Tech Festival, where he joined technology enthusiasts, innovators, and stakeholders to explore opportunities within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
Reflecting on the event, the NCC chief described the atmosphere at the festival as vibrant and inspiring, noting the strong sense of creativity, innovation, and optimism among young tech professionals and entrepreneurs.
He commended the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, for hosting the forward-looking technology festival, which he said provides a valuable platform for ideation, networking, and the formation of strategic partnerships capable of driving technological advancement.
According to Dr. Maida, gatherings such as the Enugu Tech Festival are essential to nurturing Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem and empowering young innovators who are shaping the future of the country’s digital economy.
Addressing participants at the event, he emphasised that achieving meaningful progress in the technology sector requires clear vision and unwavering focus.
Dr. Maida pointed to the remarkable transformation of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector as a powerful example of what can be achieved through consistent policy direction and long-term planning.
He recalled that about 26 years ago, Nigeria had fewer than 500,000 fixed telephone lines nationwide. Today, however, the country boasts more than 179 million active mobile connections, a dramatic expansion that has fundamentally reshaped communication, commerce, and social interaction across the country.
According to him, this growth did not occur by accident. Rather, it was the result of deliberate policy initiatives, effective regulation, sustained investment, and the collective efforts of both the public and private sectors.
Building on this legacy, Dr. Maida revealed that the NCC has commenced consultations to review the long-standing National Telecommunications Policy 2000, which has guided the development of Nigeria’s telecom industry for more than two decades.
The review process, he explained, is aimed at ensuring that the next phase of Nigeria’s telecommunications policy framework reflects the realities of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Dr. Maida noted that emerging technologies, digital services, and new business models require a modern regulatory and policy environment capable of supporting innovation while maintaining stability within the sector.
“Our goal at the Nigerian Communications Commission is clear,” he said, adding that the upcoming policy framework will define the direction of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry over the next decade.
He explained that the envisioned policy will prioritise innovation, encourage investment, and create a flexible regulatory environment capable of responding to the fast-changing dynamics of global technology development.
Industry observers believe that the policy review represents a critical opportunity to position Nigeria’s telecom sector for the next wave of digital transformation, including advancements in broadband expansion, artificial intelligence, digital services, and next-generation connectivity infrastructure.
With Nigeria’s technology ecosystem continuing to expand rapidly, stakeholders at the festival expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between government, regulators, and innovators will further accelerate the country’s journey toward becoming a leading digital economy in Africa.
