The telecommunications industry has thrown its weight behind the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, describing his appointment as timely for a sector steadily emerging from a period of intense operational and financial strain.
Leading a delegation of chief executives and senior industry stakeholders on a congratulatory visit, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said the industry is united in its support for the new Board leadership.
According to Adebayo, the presence of top industry players during the visit underscored the sector’s readiness to work collaboratively with the Board to deepen regulatory stability and strengthen investor confidence. He described Olorunnimbe as a seasoned professional whose background in law, entrepreneurship and public service equips him to provide strategic oversight at a critical time for the communications industry.
He noted that the sector is currently in a phase of recovery and recalibration following years of economic pressures, including currency volatility, rising operational costs and infrastructure challenges.
ALTON also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as a thoughtful composition of the NCC Board, saying the blend of expertise reflects a strong commitment to institutional strengthening and long-term sustainability of the telecommunications ecosystem.
While welcoming the new Chairman, Adebayo paid tribute to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, for steering the industry through one of its most turbulent periods. He highlighted the resolution of the protracted USSD debt crisis, which had accumulated to nearly ₦300 billion over four years, as a significant milestone that restored stability within the telecom and digital financial services ecosystem.
He further pointed to the approval of cost-reflective tariff adjustments after 13 years of static pricing as a major turning point for operators. According to him, the reform helped prevent deeper financial distress within the industry, improved network stability and enabled companies to gradually return to sustainable investment planning.
Adebayo explained that telecom operators face unique financial pressures, earning revenue in naira while meeting significant obligations in foreign currency for bandwidth, satellite capacity, software and equipment. He linked recent improvements in sector confidence to broader economic reforms, including foreign exchange liberalisation, which have helped ease some of these pressures.
In his response, Olorunnimbe assured operators of the Board’s commitment to fairness, regulatory independence and constructive engagement. He emphasised that telecommunications remains critical national infrastructure supporting commerce, governance, education and financial inclusion.
The visit concluded with renewed assurances of collaboration between the regulator and industry players, signalling a shared commitment to sustaining stability, strengthening policy frameworks and driving the next phase of growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
