NCC, ATCON Strengthen Partnership To Accelerate Telecom Sector Growth
Elegbede Abiodun
• Bridging the communication gap between the regulator and industry players.
In a renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) have reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration aimed at advancing the country’s telecommunications industry.
The renewed partnership follows a high-level meeting between senior NCC officials and ATCON executives, where both sides examined the evolving dynamics of the sector. Discussions focused on addressing critical challenges, including infrastructure deficits, regulatory bottlenecks, and strategies to unlock greater investment opportunities.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, deliberations centered on fostering a more enabling environment for all operators from Tier-1 mobile network providers to smaller Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Both parties emphasized the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks with operational realities to promote sustainable industry growth.
ATCON, in a statement shared on its official LinkedIn page, noted that the strengthened engagement aims to bridge the communication gap between the regulator and industry players. The goal, it said, is to ensure that policies are not only forward-looking but also practical and responsive to market needs.
Both organizations identified infrastructure protection as a top priority, particularly tackling vandalism and resolving persistent Right of Way challenges that slow fiber optic network expansion nationwide.
Improving service quality for millions of Nigerian subscribers also featured prominently. The NCC and ATCON agreed to collaborate on establishing clear benchmarks to enhance user experience and ensure service reliability.
Leading the ATCON delegation, President Tony Emoekpere urged the Commission to ensure its regulatory guidelines reflect the operational realities facing telecom operators. He expressed confidence in the NCC’s current leadership and its openness to investors’ concerns.
ATCON maintained that greater transparency and inclusivity within the regulatory process will enhance investor confidence and help Nigeria attract the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) needed to meet targets outlined in the National Broadband Plan.
On his part, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, reaffirmed the Commission’s role as a neutral and fair regulator. He stressed that the NCC remains committed to protecting consumer interests while ensuring the telecommunications sector continues to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Industry analysts view the renewed engagement as a significant step toward reducing friction within the sector. A more synchronized relationship between ATCON and the NCC, they argue, will be crucial to accelerating 5G rollout and expanding digital inclusion across underserved rural communities.
As the telecommunications industry navigates ongoing macroeconomic pressures, the strengthened partnership signals stability and sets the stage for a more resilient and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.
