Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, addressing Attorneys-General at the 1st NCC Annual Workshop in Lagos.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has called on Attorneys-General across Nigeria to play a more active and strategic role in shaping the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking during his opening remarks at the 1st Annual NCC Workshop for Attorneys-General, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Maida said stronger collaboration between regulators and legal officers is vital for addressing emerging challenges in the rapidly evolving communications sector.
“No sector, especially one as dynamic and impactful as communications, can be effectively regulated in isolation,” he told the gathering of top legal officers.
“Collaboration is not optional—it is essential.”
Themed “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria,” the workshop aims to build a structured platform for engagement between the NCC and state Attorneys-General on issues ranging from regulatory reforms to legal frameworks for digital innovation.
Dr. Maida acknowledged the presence of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, describing it as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to institutional synergy and policy cohesion.
Communications Sector at a Crossroads
Highlighting how the communications industry has evolved over the last two decades—from market liberalisation to broadband expansion and digital inclusion—Dr. Maida noted that the regulatory landscape now faces more complex and cross-cutting issues. These include artificial intelligence governance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and the safeguarding of critical national infrastructure.
He identified several priority areas the NCC and Attorneys-General must work together to address:
- Review of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003): Dr. Maida said the Act must be updated to reflect current realities in the digital ecosystem.
- Taxation Challenges: He flagged multiple and overlapping taxes at different government levels as a disincentive to investment, calling for a harmonised and investor-friendly tax regime.
- Regulatory Overlaps: Fragmented regulatory mandates across government agencies, he said, lead to inefficiencies and must be resolved through clearer legal frameworks.
- Protection of Communications Infrastructure: With President Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Order designating communications systems as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), Dr. Maida stressed the need for effective collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other agencies to implement the directive.
Attorneys-General as Digital Change Agents
Dr. Maida reminded participants that as Chief Law Officers of their states, Attorneys-General have more than just an advisory role—they are pivotal in designing legal systems that support innovation, economic growth, and digital rights protection.
“You are policy influencers and legal architects,” he said.
“Your insights help ensure that innovation happens within a structure that promotes fairness, accountability, and long-term stability.”
The workshop, he said, has been deliberately designed to spark solutions to Nigeria’s digital regulation challenges, provide room for experience-sharing, and develop a shared vision for legal clarity and national development.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Maida expressed optimism that the workshop will evolve into an annual forum for deeper collaboration between the NCC and state legal institutions. He stressed the importance of adopting a Whole-of-Government approach that leverages the strengths of both federal and state actors to drive inclusive and sustainable digital development.
“This is just the beginning,” he concluded.
“We believe the Attorneys-General have a strategic role to play—not just in interpreting the law, but in building an enabling environment where technology and governance work hand in hand.”
As conversations continue during the two-day workshop, legal and regulatory leaders are expected to deliberate on data governance, digital resilience, consumer protection, and future-proofing Nigeria’s communications policies.
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