InFocus: NCC’s core priorities, consumer experience and sustainable telecoms market 2026

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, in his New Year message to all industry stakeholders, highlights the Management’s priority areas of attention, including enhanced Quality of Experience for telecoms consumers, delivered through a fair, competitive, and sustainable market in the country’s communications space

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed its shared expectation for the New Year 2026 embraces certain critical areas of the communications sector of the economy, including enhanced Quality of Experience (QoE) for telecoms consumers, delivered through better Quality of Service (QoS) in a fair, competitive and sustainable market.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission disclosed the overarching objective of these critical areas of attention this year revolves around the NCC’s priorities guiding the communications industry in 2026.

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ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), stated these in his official message contained in the New Year’s newsletter to all stakeholders titled, “2026: Delivering Better Quality of Experience to the Nigerian Consumer”.

In regard to what telecoms stakeholders should expect in the entire communications industry in the course of the New Year, Dr. Maida said for the sector to really improve on gains of the past year, the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and industry partners should prioritise reliable and affordable products and services, and remain fully committed to this, so the industry the sector does not lose trust, and ultimately its role in achieving this vision.

According to EVC/CEO of the Commission, as connectivity becomes more fluid, Nigerian consumers must be able to participate meaningfully in the use of the Internet with “confidence”.

Consumer protection as core mandate of NCC

Highlighting that Nigeria’s communications sector in the entire digital economy should protect consumers from essential service risks and harm, such as fraud, Maida urged service providers to offer quality, fair, and competitive services that connect and support families as a veritable part of the entire digital ecosystem.

Maida also stated: “This shared ambition aligns with impersonation, cyberbullying, businesses, harmful content, and cyberattacks.”

The NCC Chief emphasised the need for protection for consumers, a stable and predictable environment for investment, and a strong, inclusive communication ecosystem for the good of all stakeholders.

He noted: “As we begin this new regulatory instruments like the Internet Code of Practice to ensure simple: better services that consumers can feel better protected, and services that are fair, competitive, and sustainable.”

He described these factors as a critical enabler of productivity, innovation, job creation, and sustainability of the communications industry.

“We are also strengthening a broader cybersecurity and trust framework for the industry, recognising that today’s networks connect not only people, but also devices, machines, and critical services.

“This will help ensure that Nigeria’s digital growth is built on strong foundations of security, trust, and resilience,” stated the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman.

Improved access to connectivity, business growth and service quality

Stressing the importance of enhanced access to connectivity, incentives, partnerships, and policy tools in the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy, the EVC/CEO of NCC averred that no Nigerian should be excluded from the digital era because of where they live or their socio-economic circumstances.

Maida said: “Our commitment to a healthy communications sector also means ensuring that services deliver fair value, while the market remains commercially viable for continued investment and expansion.

“We also recognise that market forces alone cannot deliver connectivity everywhere.”

He restated: “We will, therefore, leverage data and evidence to identify areas where connectivity remains limited and apply the right mix of incentives, partnerships, and policy tools to extend access.

“Our aim is clear: to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded from the digital era because of where they live or their socio-economic circumstances.”

According to him, the overall and approach of the Commission to regulatory affairs in the telecommunications sector remain balanced and purposeful.

This encompasses better service, and where businesses can grow and Nigerians can thrive, Maida noted.

What telecoms consumers should expect in 2026, by Maida

Reaffirming the significance of improved consumers’ Quality of Experience in the telecoms sector in his New Year message, Dr. Maida said there should the prompt value reversal on unsuccessful recharges towards ensuring that consumers enjoy full value for their money in the country.

On specifics of the Commission’s avowed prioritisation of the wellbeing of consumers in the telecoms environment in the New Year, the Executive Vice-Chairman said: “Our regulatory work this year will be anchored on outcomes that matter to the public, delivered through clear rules, active monitoring, and consistent enforcement.”

These, he stated, include the following touchpoints:

• Quality of service and network resilience. We will deepen our QoS monitoring, strengthen major incident reporting and escalation, and drive practical measures that improve availability and performance, especially in high-traffic areas and persistent black spots.
• Consumer Protection and Transparency: We will reinforce tariff transparency, accuracy of billing, customer care standards, and protections against misleading practices. Consumers will also see more consistent public communication during major service incidents.
• Fair Competition and Market Discipline. A healthy market delivers better service and better prices. NCC will continue to promote fair competition, prevent anti-competitive conduct, and support innovation that benefits consumers and strengthens service delivery.

Maida, therefore, assured the industry stakeholders, stating “in 2026, we will operationalise the revised Corporate Governance Code for the communications sector, thus strengthening Board and Management accountability and making governance a key driver of operator performance.”

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