NCC tasks operators on investments, corporate governance
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will hold telecom operators more accountable in 2026, with a strong focus on improving consumer experience, network quality, and corporate governance across the sector.
In a policy document titled “2026: Delivering Better Quality of Experience to the Nigerian Consumer”, signed by Executive Vice Chairman Dr Aminu Maida, the regulator outlined clear expectations for operators to make deliberate investments in network expansion, capacity, and resilience. Operators are also expected to reduce avoidable outages, strengthen incident response plans, and ensure transparent communication with consumers during service disruptions.
The NCC directed telecom companies to simplify tariffs and improve pricing clarity in line with regulatory guidance, while upgrading customer care and complaint-handling systems. Complaints, the commission said, should be treated as critical feedback rather than routine issues. Operators were further instructed to protect the integrity of the telecom ecosystem by settling obligations with critical suppliers on time and supporting long-term service sustainability.
Compliance with industry corporate governance guidelines and other regulatory obligations will be a key performance benchmark. Summarising its expectations, Dr Maida stated: “Put simply, stronger networks, clearer communication, better customer care, stricter compliance.”
On its own role, the NCC said it will prioritise quality of service and network resilience by deepening QoS monitoring, strengthening incident reporting and escalation mechanisms, and addressing persistent black spots, particularly in high-traffic areas. Consumer protection and transparency will also be reinforced, including clearer tariffs, accurate billing, higher customer care standards, and safeguards against misleading practices. The commission added that public communication during major service incidents will become more consistent.
The NCC also reaffirmed its commitment to fair competition and market discipline, noting that healthy competition leads to better service quality and pricing. In 2026, the commission plans to operationalise the revised Corporate Governance Code for the communications sector, strengthening board and management accountability and positioning governance as a driver of operator performance.
Regulatory processes will be kept transparent, with improved efficiency in licensing and approvals. The NCC said it will engage stakeholders through structured, evidence-based consultations and working groups, while supporting an enabling environment for sustainable investment by working with government partners to reduce deployment barriers and protect infrastructure.
Enforcement will remain a priority, with the NCC warning that persistent or material non-compliance on service quality, governance, or consumer protection will attract proportionate regulatory consequences. The commission also committed to publishing regular industry performance insights and strengthening the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure in collaboration with security agencies.
To further improve network stability, the NCC highlighted plans to support power resilience, energy efficiency, and stronger collaboration with state governments through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to address right-of-way challenges, ease deployment bottlenecks, and enable faster network rollout nationwide.The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will hold telecom operators more accountable in 2026, with a strong focus on improving consumer experience, network quality, and corporate governance across the sector.
In a policy document titled “2026: Delivering Better Quality of Experience to the Nigerian Consumer”, signed by Executive Vice Chairman Dr Aminu Maida, the regulator outlined clear expectations for operators to make deliberate investments in network expansion, capacity, and resilience. Operators are also expected to reduce avoidable outages, strengthen incident response plans, and ensure transparent communication with consumers during service disruptions.
The NCC directed telecom companies to simplify tariffs and improve pricing clarity in line with regulatory guidance, while upgrading customer care and complaint-handling systems. Complaints, the commission said, should be treated as critical feedback rather than routine issues. Operators were further instructed to protect the integrity of the telecom ecosystem by settling obligations with critical suppliers on time and supporting long-term service sustainability.
Compliance with industry corporate governance guidelines and other regulatory obligations will be a key performance benchmark. Summarising its expectations, Dr Maida stated: “Put simply, stronger networks, clearer communication, better customer care, stricter compliance.”
On its own role, the NCC said it will prioritise quality of service and network resilience by deepening QoS monitoring, strengthening incident reporting and escalation mechanisms, and addressing persistent black spots, particularly in high-traffic areas. Consumer protection and transparency will also be reinforced, including clearer tariffs, accurate billing, higher customer care standards, and safeguards against misleading practices. The commission added that public communication during major service incidents will become more consistent.
The NCC also reaffirmed its commitment to fair competition and market discipline, noting that healthy competition leads to better service quality and pricing. In 2026, the commission plans to operationalise the revised Corporate Governance Code for the communications sector, strengthening board and management accountability and positioning governance as a driver of operator performance.
Regulatory processes will be kept transparent, with improved efficiency in licensing and approvals. The NCC said it will engage stakeholders through structured, evidence-based consultations and working groups, while supporting an enabling environment for sustainable investment by working with government partners to reduce deployment barriers and protect infrastructure.
Enforcement will remain a priority, with the NCC warning that persistent or material non-compliance on service quality, governance, or consumer protection will attract proportionate regulatory consequences. The commission also committed to publishing regular industry performance insights and strengthening the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure in collaboration with security agencies.
To further improve network stability, the NCC highlighted plans to support power resilience, energy efficiency, and stronger collaboration with state governments through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to address right-of-way challenges, ease deployment bottlenecks, and enable faster network rollout nationwide.
