The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC's) decision to adopt market-driven pricing in the telecom sector has led to a significant investment boost of over $1 billion in 2025, reports ITREALMS.
This policy shift, introduced in the first quarter of 2025, allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50% after nearly a decade of stagnant pricing.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this on Friday at a media parley with ITREALMS in Lagos, stressing that the move has restored investor confidence in the sector and reversed a trend of underinvestment that had slowed network growth and service quality improvements.
The investments, he also said, are expected to address capacity challenges, improve service quality, and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global telecom landscape.
The policy shift, according to the EVC who was accompanied by top management team of the Commission, has encouraged new investments, reversing a trend of underinvestment in the sector.
The NCC boss accompanied by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Haraya Makama, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department, Director, Zonal Operations Department, Mrs Helen Obi, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Freda Bruce-Bennett, Head, Department of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha among others, highlighted the imbalance in the value chain, where tower companies can adjust prices annually for inflation and exchange rates, but mobile network operators cannot, which had discouraged new investment.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this on Friday at a media parley with ITREALMS in Lagos, stressing that the move has restored investor confidence in the sector and reversed a trend of underinvestment that had slowed network growth and service quality improvements.
The investments, he also said, are expected to address capacity challenges, improve service quality, and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global telecom landscape.
The policy shift, according to the EVC who was accompanied by top management team of the Commission, has encouraged new investments, reversing a trend of underinvestment in the sector.
The NCC boss accompanied by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Haraya Makama, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department, Director, Zonal Operations Department, Mrs Helen Obi, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Freda Bruce-Bennett, Head, Department of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha among others, highlighted the imbalance in the value chain, where tower companies can adjust prices annually for inflation and exchange rates, but mobile network operators cannot, which had discouraged new investment.
The industry faces operational cost pressures, including consuming over 40 million liters of diesel monthly to power base stations, with most of it imported.
The NCC is working closely with operators to monitor progress, holding weekly calls to track site builds, upgrades, and intervening when necessary. Additionally, the commission is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser to develop region-specific protection strategies for telecom infrastructure.
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