Nigeria's Telecom Policy Needs Review for Growth

The Nigerian telecommunications policy, published by the federal government in 2000, is considered outdated today. Under President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration (1999-2007), Dr.

Ernest Ndukwe implemented policies that initiated a telecommunications revolution, leading to a significant increase in telephone lines from 500,000. The sector was liberalized, allowing private companies to provide services, which resulted in rapid growth.

Ndukwe, who served as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that the 2000 policy opened the sector to competition and investment, transforming Nigeria into an investor haven. He called for a review of the telecommunications policy during a workshop in Lagos, highlighting the need to adapt to technological developments and address the challenges faced since the policy's inception.

The NCC, under the leadership of Chairman Ahm Joda, has been pivotal in implementing these policies, which have laid the foundation for Nigeria's telecommunications sector.