The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new licensing framework aimed at creating a more flexible and responsive regulatory environment.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ forum on the Draft General Authorisation Framework, held in Abuja. Representing the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, at the event was the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Barrister Rimini Makama.
Dr. Maida explained that the new framework is designed to accommodate innovations that fall outside the current licensing structure. “We are at a turning point where innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not just reactive but empowering,” he stated.
The updated framework introduces three pivotal regulatory tools:
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Proof-of-Concept pilots to test innovative services under real-world conditions;
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Regulatory Sandbox environments for safe experimentation with emerging technologies like Open RAN and spectrum sharing;
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Interim Service Authorisation for novel services not yet captured under existing license categories.
According to Maida, these instruments will enable startups and established firms to explore and validate new solutions without compromising consumer rights or regulatory integrity. “This approach balances innovation with public interest, creating space for responsible experimentation,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of collaboration, Maida called on stakeholders including mobile network operators, service providers, infrastructure companies, OEMs, academia, and civil society, to contribute insights and help shape the future of telecom regulation in Nigeria.
“The digital economy is already taking shape before us. The telecom sector is central to this transformation, and this new model positions us to lead the way,” he affirmed.
Speaking further, Usman Mamman, Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the NCC, explained that the draft was developed through internal reviews and global benchmarking. Examples were drawn from the UK’s Ofcom Sandbox and Singapore’s IMDA testbeds to create a framework that balances innovation with regulatory compliance.
Mamman noted that the proposed framework aligns with Nigeria’s national digital economy priorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Broadband Plan. He also highlighted built-in safeguards for data protection, cybersecurity, and consumer rights.
The forum brought together players from across the telecom and tech ecosystem, who were encouraged to submit feedback that will help refine the framework and ensure its alignment with national development goals.
