Nigeria’s telecom industry is urging lawmakers to fix overlapping powers in the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill before it’s signed into law — warning that blurred lines between NITDA and the NCC could stall billions in private investment.
Telecom operators raise red flags
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has asked the National Assembly to amend clauses in the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, 2025, that it says duplicate existing telecom regulations.
At a joint Senate and House hearing on ICT, Cybersecurity and the Digital Economy, ALTON chairman Gbenga Adebayo cautioned that the bill, as currently written, would grant the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) powers already vested in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He warned that such overlaps could erode investor confidence and complicate compliance in a sector driving Nigeria’s digital growth.
What the numbers and statements show
- Who spoke: ALTON chairman Gbenga Adebayo at the National Assembly public hearing in Abuja.
- Main concern: Draft clauses that could shift or duplicate regulatory authority from the NCC to NITDA.
- Lawmakers’ response: Senator Shuaib Salisu said industry feedback would inform the bill’s final text.
- Government position: Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the bill as a landmark reform that will drive digital transformation once signed by President Bola Tinubu.
- Scope: The bill covers e-governance, electronic transactions, a national framework for AI, and new infrastructure targets including 90,000km of fibre and nearly 4,000 additional towers.
Why the industry is uneasy
ALTON’s position is not against reform but against uncertainty. Telecom operators argue that regulatory clarity — knowing which agency sets the rules for licensing, compliance and dispute resolution — is essential for sustained investment. Any ambiguity between NITDA and the NCC could trigger parallel approvals, conflicting directives and potential legal disputes. For a capital-intensive sector like telecoms, that uncertainty translates directly into risk and delayed rollouts.
The bigger picture: reform and risk
The government’s ambitions are high. Minister Tijani has highlighted the digital economy’s growing share of GDP — up from 16% to 19%, with a 21% target by 2027. The bill also promises new systems for data exchange, AI adoption and national connectivity.
But sweeping reforms can backfire if they redraw regulatory lines without coordination. Blurred mandates increase litigation risk, delay projects, and divert funds from infrastructure to compliance. For investors and operators, consistency matters as much as innovation.
What clearer regulation could achieve
A predictable framework is key to unlocking private capital. Mapping the exact responsibilities of each digital agency — and codifying how disputes are resolved — would make Nigeria’s digital infrastructure more bankable. Policymakers can maintain ambition while ensuring stability by embedding inter-agency coordination mechanisms and transparent rule-making procedures directly in the law.
Testing change before rollout
Analysts suggest a phased approach: pilot new structures such as the national data exchange or AI governance framework before granting full powers. Built-in review or sunset clauses would let regulators adjust based on early results, avoiding unintended overlaps and giving businesses time to adapt.
What to watch as the bill advances
- Final amendments: Will references to NITDA’s regulatory powers be revised after ALTON’s submissions?
- Transition rules: Are there clear handover procedures if responsibilities shift?
- Investor guidance: Will the government issue detailed regulatory roadmaps or impact assessments?
- Implementation detail: How will e-governance systems, data exchanges and AI oversight operate in practice?
How lawmakers can fix the gaps
ALTON’s proposals remain pragmatic: align, don’t compete. The following measures could help:
- Define the roles of the NCC, NITDA and other agencies explicitly in the bill.
- Include a mandatory inter-agency coordination body and fast-track dispute resolution process.
- Phase in new powers through pilot projects and sunset clauses.
- Publish implementation roadmaps and impact studies to reinforce investor confidence.
The bottom line
Nigeria’s National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill could be a turning point for digital transformation — but its success hinges on clarity. Overlapping mandates risk undermining the very progress the law aims to secure. Getting the legal architecture right now will determine whether Nigeria accelerates into its next digital chapter or slows down under regulatory uncertainty.
Question: If you work in telecoms or digital policy, what single fix would you make to this bill — clearer mapping of powers, a standing coordination panel, or phased implementation? Share your thoughts below.
