The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has convened a high-level Stakeholder Engagement Forum to unveil the findings of its 2024 Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on eight subsidiary legislations, reaffirming its commitment to participatory rulemaking and consumer-first regulation.
The forum, widely regarded as a significant advancement in regulatory transparency, drew key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and consumer representatives. At the heart of discussions were three core strategic focus areas: consumers, licensees, and government policy alignment.
In his keynote address, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, highlighted the critical role of the RIA in ensuring that regulatory decisions reflect the dynamic realities of the telecommunications industry.
“The Commission places consumers at the centre of its regulation of the telecommunications industry,” Dr. Maida stated. “The RIA allows us to measure the actual and potential impact of regulations on consumer satisfaction and Quality of Experience (QoE), making sure that their interests remain paramount.”
Beyond consumer protection, the RIA also examined the implications of the subsidiary legislations on licensees and the broader telecom market. According to Dr. Maida, the evaluation is instrumental in assessing how well these legislations support fair competition, reduce market entry barriers, and ensure optimal resource utilization.
The government, as both policymaker and key stakeholder, was the third pillar of the assessment. The NCC used the RIA to determine how the legislations align with national policy goals and the broader economic agenda.
Dr. Maida emphasized that the RIA is designed to foster inclusivity by inviting input from all corners of the telecom ecosystem. “Well-drafted regulations safeguard public interest, stimulate innovation, and facilitate investment,” he said, adding that stakeholder feedback is essential in refining policies to better serve the public and private sectors.
He further noted that the engagement offered a unique opportunity for recalibrating the Commission’s strategic direction based on stakeholder expectations. “Your insights will be invaluable in shaping the rule-making process and in deepening the development, review, and implementation of subsidiary legislations,” he told participants.
Reiterating the NCC’s dedication to transparency and innovation, Dr. Maida concluded by stressing that the outcomes and recommendations from the RIA forum would be instrumental in evolving regulatory frameworks that are adaptive, balanced, and forward-looking.
The NCC’s 2024 RIA initiative marks a milestone in its ongoing efforts to create a fair, competitive, and consumer-centric telecommunications environment in Nigeria.
