By Gabriel Ameh
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has showcased Nigeria’s telecommunications reforms and digital governance initiatives at the 2026 Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Ankara, Türkiye.
The global event brought together telecommunications regulators, policymakers and industry leaders from different countries to discuss emerging regulatory challenges, digital transformation and the future of telecommunications governance.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Harnessing the Power of Transformative Tech: Regulatory Approaches,” Maida said Nigeria is developing a regulatory framework focused on transparency, accountability and data-driven decision-making to improve consumer protection and support the growth of the digital economy.
According to him, the NCC is transitioning from traditional data collection methods to data intelligence systems that empower consumers, strengthen regulatory oversight and improve accountability among telecommunications operators.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Commission’s Public Maps, industry statistics publications, Quarterly Network Performance Reports and simplified reporting frameworks, noting that these tools are helping consumers better understand the quality of telecommunications services while promoting transparency within the sector.
Maida also joined telecommunications regulators and industry experts from across the world, including President of Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), Carlos Manuel Baigorri; Director-General of Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Philip Marnick; and Donna Bethea-Murphy of Viasat Inc., to discuss how regulators can adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and digital ecosystems.
At the symposium, participants adopted the 2026 Best Practice Guidelines: Regulatory Governance Essentials, a framework developed by the ITU to help regulators strengthen governance and respond effectively to increasingly complex digital markets.
During the Regulators’ Roundtable, Maida outlined key priorities shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications regulatory agenda. These include improving transparency and accountability within the internet ecosystem through the NCC’s Internet Code of Practice, strengthening cybersecurity through the Commission’s Cyber Resilience Framework and promoting collaboration among public institutions to support digital market governance.
He also stressed efforts aimed at creating an incentive-based telecommunications market through spectrum management and infrastructure policies designed to encourage investment, improve connectivity and drive innovation.
Maida noted that the NCC has in recent years intensified efforts in data-driven regulation, consumer protection and quality-of-service monitoring to improve network performance transparency and strengthen cybersecurity resilience across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The Global Symposium for Regulators is regarded as one of the telecommunications industry’s leading policy forums where regulators worldwide share experiences, develop best practices and shape the future of digital regulation.
