At GSR-26 in Türkiye, NCC Boss Highlights Telecom Sector’s Impact on Nigeria’s Economy

AKINSINDE ADEOLA OYINDAMOLA

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has showcased Nigeria’s telecommunications regulatory achievements at the recently concluded Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-26) held in Ankara, Türkiye.

The symposium, hosted by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) from May 12 to 15, 2026, brought together telecommunications regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across the world under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The event provided Dr. Maida with another global platform to explain how Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem has evolved into a major driver of the nation’s economy through effective regulation and strategic reforms by the NCC.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Harnessing the Power of Transformative Tech: Regulatory Approaches,” Dr. Maida joined top industry figures and regulators, including Carlos Manuel Baigorri, President of Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL); Philip Marnick, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Bahrain; and Donna Bethea-Murphy of Viasat Inc.

The discussions focused on how regulators can adapt policies to harness emerging technologies and strengthen regulatory excellence in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

According to Dr. Maida, the NCC has continued to build a regulatory framework anchored on data, transparency, and consumer empowerment.

“We shared what we have been building at the NCC — a regulatory system that prioritises data and transparency; how we are moving from data collection to data intelligence, and from mere public transparency to transparency that empowers consumers and holds operators more accountable,” he said.

He added that the Commission’s Public Maps, industry statistics, Quarterly Network Performance Reports, and simplified reporting frameworks are helping consumers better understand the quality of services provided by telecom operators while also supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

During the Regulators’ Roundtable session, Dr. Maida said discussions centred on the changing role of regulators in enabling digital markets and ensuring responsible innovation.

He highlighted some of Nigeria’s current regulatory priorities, including strengthening accountability and responsible conduct within the internet ecosystem through the Internet Code of Practice, improving cyber resilience in the telecommunications sector through the NCC’s Cyber Resilience Framework, and enhancing collaboration with public institutions to promote coordinated digital market governance.

Dr. Maida also emphasised the Commission’s efforts toward creating an incentive-driven telecommunications market through effective spectrum management and infrastructure regulation.

Since its inception in 2000, the Global Symposium for Regulators has served as a premier annual platform for heads of telecom and ICT regulatory agencies worldwide to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss emerging regulatory challenges in the communications sector.

The symposium also promotes dialogue among regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, and ICT stakeholders, culminating in the adoption of global regulatory best practice guidelines aimed at strengthening digital governance across countries.

GSR-26 further provided participants with networking opportunities through its interactive online platform, enabling delegates to connect and schedule engagements throughout the event.