Nigerians applaud Aminu Maida, NCC as Telecoms sector attracts over $1 Billion investment
The Nigerian telecommunications sector is experiencing a significant resurgence, attracting over $1 billion in infrastructure investment in 2025 alone, a development that has drawn widespread commendation for Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the regulatory body itself.
This boom is largely attributed to the policies of the NCC’s current administration, including but not limited to the strategic shift back to market-driven pricing policies, which have revitalised investor confidence.
Since Dr. Maida’s appointment in October 2023, the NCC has implemented decisive actions aimed at fostering industry sustainability, enhancing the quality of service, and promoting robust stakeholder collaboration. These efforts have quickly yielded tangible results, reversing years of underinvestment that had previously hampered network expansion and service quality.
“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 to journalists at a briefing last week.
For millions of Nigerians, this investment would translate to better internet services, especially in rural areas. And it is not surprising that many are taking note, and giving due credit.
On Facebook, as well as Twitter, comments monitored by Neusroom reflect a broad sentiment about conspicuous growth and opportunities, even as most agree plenty of work is to be done concerningthe quality of service.
One Instagram user Kene7350 commented; “One leader too many, Executuve Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida.” While another Zakariyayusufari wrote “@dr_aminumaida I’m very proud of you sir.”
The commendation extends to Facebook where Muhammed Aminu wrote “Congratulations once again sir, our commission is moving” and other users praised the NCC for wonderful moves, great development, etc.
Aminu Maida’s briefing comes at the end of a week that the presidency further backed his tenure by retaining him as the EVC while constituting a new board for the commission.
A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, reads that Idris Olorunnimbe, the founder of The Temple, would chair the NCC board, and other members of the board awaiting Senate confirmation include Abraham Oshidami, executive commissioner, technical services; Rimini Makama, executive commissioner, stakeholder management; Maryam Bayi, former director, human capital & administration; and Col Abdulwahab Lawal (rtd).
Reacting on behalf of the telcos, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo, welcomed the board and its chairman, urging them to consolidate on recent gains, strengthen investor confidence, and provide strong governance and policy direction to sustain industry growth.
“We are very pleased with the appointment of Mr. Olorunimbe Idris as Chairman of the NCC Board alongside the newly constituted members. His reputation as a man of excellence and dedication precedes him, and we are confident that under his leadership, working with the Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the current management team, the sector is set to experience exponential growth like never before,” his statement reads.
Gbenga Adebayo, who has been vocal in his praise for Maida’s leadership, highlighted the invaluable transformations under Maida, particularly in addressing long-standing industry challenges via a telephone call with Neusroom.
“When they (the current executive leadership of the NCC) came in, we had lots of problems that we presented to them, one of which is the problem of industry sustainability which is now being resolved,” Adebayo stated in a recent conversation with Neusroom.
Another breakthrough has been the resolution of the protracted USSD debt, estimated at over N200 billion, owed by banks to telecommunication companies. This issue, which had plagued the sector for over five years, saw a resolution framework facilitated by the NCC in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Frank Eleanya, senior reporter at Nigerian tech journal TechCabal, also told Neusroom that the current NCC administration has shown promising signs. He specifically pointed to the approval of tariff increases, a move long advocated by industry stakeholders, as a positive indicator of the NCC’s responsiveness to market realities.
All of these measures have led to an increase in investor confidence, like Desmond Okon, the Head of the Business desk at Nigerian news platform, TheCable, opined. “The move to adjust tariffs means they’re listening to stakeholders. The impact is increased confidence in the regulator. It also shows their willingness to collaborate.
Maida’s emphasis on collaboration extends beyond financial matters. Aminu Maida, the NCC EVC is reportedly championing a regulators’ forum to bring together various sectoral regulators to address issues of multiple regulations and foster a more cohesive ecosystem. He has also taken a firm stance on service quality, giving operators a deadline to improve services within a specified timeframe, with significant sanctions threatened for non-compliance.
“This is an industry that requires continuous investment. The world is moving ahead, and if we do not create the right conditions, we will be left behind,” Aminu Maida said.
The NCC boss added that the commission was reverting to the principles of the 2000 telecom policy and the 2003 Communications Act, which empowered market forces to determine fair prices while ensuring competition to protect consumers.
Maida also said operators had begun taking delivery of new equipment in June, and network upgrades and expansion were already underway. “We are closely tracking the rollout. We hold weekly calls with operators to monitor new sites, upgrades, and step in when they face challenges with authorities,” he said.
Industry players express optimism about the future. “I think the experience within the current regulator is quite positive. And I think we’re on a better course than we have been in previous years… we’re on the right path,” Adebayo stated, reflecting a growing confidence in the NCC’s approach.
This renewed confidence is crucial as Nigeria aims for 70% broadband penetration by 2025, a target that requires sustained investment and a supportive regulatory environment.
