The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening partnerships with sister regulatory bodies within the West African region, reports ITREALMS.
Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy, and Risk Management, underscored the Commission’s mandate to collaborate across borders.
He noted that the NCC remains a staunch advocate for regional cooperation through platforms like the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).
According to Maida, the prosperity of the sub-region is intrinsically linked to how well countries are interconnected, as a unified digital front improves the living conditions of citizens and drives the expansion of the digital economy.
A significant point of the discussion centered on the advocacy for recognizing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as critical national infrastructure within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Nigeria has already designated its ICT assets as part of its critical national information infrastructure, a move intended to provide the security and prominence required for sustainable growth.
Dr. Maida assured the Liberian delegation of Nigeria’s readiness to provide technical support and translate these high-level discussions into actionable outcomes for the sub-region.
Responding to the reception, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the LTA, Hon. Clarence Massaquoi, praised the NCC for its leadership role in the region.
He acknowledged Nigeria as a central player in Africa’s economic and communications landscape, noting that progress made in Nigeria often serves as a blueprint for other West African nations.
Massaquoi emphasized that effective regional integration is impossible without affordable and reliable communications, particularly when addressing the persistent challenges of cross-border roaming.
The LTA Chairman further disclosed that Liberia is aggressively pursuing bilateral agreements, having already signed deals with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire, with advanced discussions currently underway with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry.
He formally sought the NCC’s support in regulatory capacity building and the sharing of best practices as Liberia undergoes a review of its licensing regime to better align with emerging technologies and regional standards.
The engagement concluded with both regulators emphasizing that seamless connectivity is the bedrock of socio-economic development.
By identifying priority areas for engagement and deepening institutional ties, the NCC and LTA aim to create a more integrated West African telecommunications market that fosters innovation and protects the interests of consumers across the sub-region.
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