By The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is preparing a new five-year Strategic Management Plan (SMP) for 2025-2029, aimed at addressing emerging technologies and further strengthening Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Over the years, the NCC has implemented various SMPs to guide the industry’s growth. The first plan, which ran from 2003 to 2007, was followed by others, including the current SMP (2020-2024), called ASPIRE 2024, which is approaching its end.
Under ASPIRE 2024, notable progress has been made in expanding telecom services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The NCC successfully reduced the number of areas without telecom access by over 53%, from 207 clusters in 2013 to 97 by the end of 2022. This has significantly increased access to telecom services, bringing down the number of people without access from 37 million in 2013 to 27 million by 2022. This was achieved through the deployment of 567 base transceiver stations (BTS) and over 35,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables by the private sector.
The NCC is also working towards completing 70% of Nigeria’s planned 95,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables under the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), aiming for 70% broadband penetration by 2025.
The new SMP will focus on regulating and adapting to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, 5G, and cybersecurity. To tackle these challenges, the NCC will adopt modern regulatory strategies, such as creating regulatory sandboxes for testing new approaches, collaborating with stakeholders for inclusive policies, and applying tailored regulations to address specific risks and technologies.
The NCC has also prioritized consumer protection, introducing measures like the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) shortcode (2442) and the toll-free complaints line (622), alongside stricter SIM registration rules, all aimed at improving consumer rights and experiences.
As Nigeria’s telecom industry continues to expand, the NCC is committed to closing remaining access gaps and supporting the country’s digital transformation. By leveraging emerging technologies and expanding infrastructure, the Commission aims to ensure that every Nigerian can benefit from improved connectivity and digital services. The upcoming plan will position Nigeria to thrive in the rapidly evolving global tech landscape.
