“Over a billion dollars worth of Investment in 2025 alone” – How Maida, Tijani saved Nigeria’s telco industry
Last Friday, Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said the commission’s return to market-driven pricing has unlocked over $1 billion in telecoms infrastructure investment already in 2025.
The policy shift introduced in January and February allowed mobile network operators to raise tariffs by up to 50 per cent after nearly a decade of price stagnation.
“This act alone has allowed investments to flow in. We will reveal more specific figures in the coming weeks after verification, but we are talking about over a billion dollars worth of investment in 2025 alone,” Maida said.
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, once a beacon of growth, was teetering on the brink just a few years ago. Years of underinvestment, crippling debts, and a challenging regulatory landscape had stifled innovation, frustrating industry stakeholders and leaving consumers frustrated with declining service quality.
Now, a new chapter has begun with the arrival of two key figures: Dr. Aminu Maida at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Dr. Bosun Tijani as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Their approach was swift and strategic. Dr. Maida, with his deep understanding of the telecommunications industry, spearheaded a bold return to market-driven pricing. This crucial policy shift, implemented early in 2025, allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs, a move that immediately restored investor confidence. The impact was almost instantaneous. Maida proudly announced last week that the new policies have unlocked over $1 billion in telecoms infrastructure investment so far in 2025.
Gbenga Adebayo, the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) appreciates Aminu Maida’s willingness to collaborate with the industry players, understanding their problems and fostering the right ecosystem for them to thrive. The regulator has rolled out other policies regarding compliance to improve the structure of telcos and increase investor confidence.
In a phone conversation with Neusroom, Gbenga Adebayo said, “The EVC takes in all the inputs from all players and he takes informed decisions. He has earned the respect of a lot of our industry leaders, as I can tell you, including myself”
Complementing Maida’s efforts, Dr. Tijani focused on creating an enabling environment. His strategic blueprint for the digital economy prioritised critical digital infrastructure and it is fostering a supportive ecosystem for tech growth. Since their tenures began, they have aggressively tackled long-standing issues like the crippling USSD debt, facilitating a resolution that brought relief to operators. They also championed the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national assets, a move aimed at curbing vandalism and ensuring network stability.
Their collaborative spirit and decisive actions have not only attracted significant investment but have also set the stage for improved quality of service and expanded broadband penetration. Nigerians are now witnessing the tangible benefits of their leadership, as the telco industry, once struggling, is now firmly on a path of recovery and robust growth.
