Maiden Edition Of The Nigerian  Communications Commission’s Annual Workshop For Attorneys-General Kicks Off In Lagos

By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief

The communications sector remains a vital enabler of innovation, commerce, governance, and inclusion and to fully unlock its potential, tackling a range of challenges that span the legal, regulatory, fiscal, and operational domains, has become necessary, which has prompted telecommunications sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), to organize the first edition of its Annual Workshop for Attorneys-General on Emerging Issues in  the Communications Sector.

This event which kicked off at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, south west, Nigeria, is a significant milestone in the Commission’s efforts to foster collaboration between the legal community and the regulatory  ecosystem propelling Nigeria’s digital future.

In his opening remarks the Executive Vice  Chairman and CEO(EVC/CEO) at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida said the  presence of the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, validated the importance the Federal Government placed on institutional synergy and policy  cohesion.

Dr. Maida’s address reads in part: “The theme of this workshop—”Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of  Nigeria”—reflects the Commission’s belief that collaboration is not  optional, but essential. No sector, especially one as dynamic and  impactful as communications, can be effectively regulated in isolation…

“This is where your role, as Attorneys-General, becomes critical. You are not only the Chief Law Officers of your states; you are also policy  influencers and key partners in shaping the legal frameworks that  support national development. Your insights and guidance help ensure that innovation happens within a structure that promotes fairness, accountability, and long-term stability.

Since the early 2000s, communications regulation has evolved through distinct phases—from liberalising markets and establishing independent regulators, to expanding broadband infrastructure and  fostering universal access. In the 2010s, attention shifted to protecting consumers, enabling digital financial services, and addressing cross-sectoral challenges. Today, regulators are focused on advanced frontiers such as AI governance, digital resilience, and sustainable connectivity…

“This workshop has been designed to address some of the most pressing issues in the sector today, including:

*A review of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003): We will reflect  on its strengths, limitations, and areas for reform to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving digital age.

*Streamlining taxation in the communications sector: The issue of  multiple and inconsistent taxes continues to deter investment. We must  work together to harmonize tax regimes and remove disincentives to growth.

*Addressing regulatory overlaps: Fragmented oversight creates  confusion and inefficiencies. Our goal is to explore reforms that enhance coordination and legal clarity across agencies.

*Protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII):

Following the 2024 Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu, the designation of communications infrastructure as CNII gives  us a new framework for collaboration with the Office of the National  Security Adviser and other stakeholders. We must now operationalize it effectively.

As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, underpinned by  technologies such as AI, IoT, and high-speed connectivity, the challenges will grow more complex. But so too will the opportunities. To succeed, we must adopt a Whole-of-Government approach that leverages the strengths of all institutions—federal and state.

“At the NCC, we are committed to working with you to align regulatory actions with broader national goals. We believe the Attorneys-General have a strategic role to play—not just in interpreting the law, but in shaping an enabling legal environment where technology and governance work in tandem.

This workshop is just the beginning. We hope it will become an annual platform for knowledge exchange, mutual understanding, and joint problem-solving. I am confident that the conversations we start here will lead to stronger partnerships and better outcomes for the Nigerian people.

Once again, thank you for honouring our invitation. I look forward to the insights, recommendations, and solutions that will emerge from our engagements over the next two days.”

In his keynote address On Building And Driving Synergy In Regulating Communications For Digital Transformation In Nigeria the Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice Lateef O. Fagbemi, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said it was both an honour and a privilege to be invited to participate at this workshop and to present a keynote address on the theme: “Building and driving synergy in regulating communications for the digital transformation in Nigeria.

His keynote reads in part: “Let me start by commending the Nigerian Communications Commission for its foresight in pulling together the Chief Law Officers of the Federation together to engage and exchange ideas on this platform, which is aimed at identifying and bridging knowledge gap with respect to regulatory frameworks, and strengthening mechanisms for regulating communications in Nigeria as a panacea for digital transformation.

“Digital transformation is critical to improvement in socio-economic development of a nation. A well regulated communications sector implies enacting and implementing laws and regulations that ensure protection of rights including right to privacy, data protection and  consumer rights as well as regulations that support the ease of doing business in Nigeria. 

“The justice and judicial sector are therefore critical components for regulating communications in Nigeria. This inevitably entails upholding the rule of law by providing level playing fields for actors in the communications sector, preventing the exploitation of consumer rights through strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks and streamlining penal dispensation with a view to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Particular attention must be given to measures to curtail the destruction of infrastructure, by ensuring offenders are brought to book.

“It has been noted that Nigeria’s communications sector remains one of the dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors. According to recent data from the Nigeria Communications Commission, Nigeria has over 220Million active voice subscriptions as of Q1 2025, with broadband penetration now over 52 per cent. This connectivity supports everything from remote education to financial inclusion in both urban and rural areas. This administration is focussed on leveraging advancement in the communications sector as a tool for development and transformation of the economy.

“However, this transformation is being hindered by some critical recurring challenges including, multiple taxation and levies imposed by federal, state and local authorities; wanton destruction of telecommunications infrastructure, especially in conflict-prone areas; regulatory overlaps that confuse operators and complicate compliance; slow broadband infrastructure roll-out which is due in part to right-of-way challenges and inconsistent state policies, among others.

“Specifically, certain unfortunate incidents have been recorded such as the Ogun State Multiple taxation incident in 2024 which saw the temporary suspension of expansion projects as a result of overlapping local government levies, as well as vandalization of base stations in Kano in 2023. These incidents constitute economic sabotage, negatively impact the development of the communications sector and hinder digital transformation in the country.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is therefore critical that the three arms of Government, as stakeholders cooperate and collaborate to address these issues and ensure improved regulation of the communications sector for enhanced socio-economic development. The legislature must review and strengthen laws that protect infrastructure and support the communications sector, while the executive reinforce measures aimed at implementing these laws. The judiciary is also a key stakeholder in ensuring offenders and saboteurs are made to face the full wrath of the law.

“These measures are not only to be adopted at the Federal level. State governments also play key roles. Through institutional and governmental cooperation, we can eliminate some of these challenges, such as in 2023 when Anambra State proactively adopted a unified right-of-way policy, resulting in a 38 per cent increase in fibre optic expansion within 6months. Proactive measures like these are laudable and I encourage all stakeholders to support the developmental efforts of the Nigerian Communications Commission.”

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice recommended that stakeholders worked towards adopting strategies and mechanisms that enhanced synergy in regulating communications for the digital transformation in Nigeria. These included legal and policy harmonization, creation of a Federal-State regulatory coordination forum, adopting uniform Right of Way (ROW) Policy Implementation, joint enforcement of laws that protected infrastructure and consolidation of digital taxation framework.

He said further: “Attorneys-General as Chief Law Officers under the constitution are uniquely placed to drive synergy. We must be able to advise our respective governments on policies that affect the digital economy, ensure that our laws and enforcement actions are constitutionally sound and support dispute resolution mechanisms that prevent prolonged litigation. We must also work to champion data privacy, cyber security and digital rights enforcement at the State level.

“In conclusion, as Honourable Attorneys-General, let us commit to working together with the Nigerian Communications Commission and relevant stakeholders to deliver on the vision of a transformed communications sector, for enhanced socio-economic development of our nation.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, once again I wish to express gratitude to the organizers for inviting me to this forum and I thank all stakeholders for their individual efforts in supporting the communications sector, to drive the transformation we desire in our nation. I charge you to work in synergy and cooperation, in the overall interest of the nation.”

The event, graced by law officers of the federation from the national and subnational levels, attracted interest from other telecommunications stakeholders, including but not limited to civil society activists, advocacy groups and the media, will round off tomorrow. –With additional reporting by Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West, Nigeria.