From appointment to overhaul: Maida reshapes Nigeria’s telecom landscape

The Nigeria’s telecoms sector has seen a new lease of life driven by the Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), BENJAMIN AZUKA writes.

In October 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Dr. Aminu Maida as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria’s telecommunications sector was at a crossroads.

The agency faced significant internal and external hurdles that hampered its regulatory effectiveness in the telecom sector.

Internal challenges

Delayed promotions stemmed from frequent leadership changes and unclear human resources policies, eroding staff morale. An over-bloated workforce resulted from compromised recruitment processes influenced by political interests, turning NCC into a “dumping ground” for unqualified hires. Skills gaps persisted in emerging technologies like AI regulation, blockchain, and cloud security, with training programs poorly targeted and limited to senior staff.

External sector pressures

Static tariffs unchanged for a decade deterred investors, causing networks to deteriorate and investments to decline sharply. Industry debts proliferated among operators and from banks via USSD services, while the NIN-SIM linkage policy faced seven postponements since 2020. Macroeconomic shocks, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, intensified operational stresses on telecom infrastructure.

Governance and interference issues

Political meddling undermined enforcement, with sanctions on powerful entities often reversed through redeployments or budget cuts. Inter-departmental rivalries and resistance from entrenched directors slowed policy reforms like spectrum auctions. Overlapping mandates with agencies like NITDA and NBC created regulatory confusion without clear role harmonization.

In his inaugural address, Maina outlined key priorities focus areas which include affordable broadband access, infrastructure expansion, quality of service improvements, alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, and tackling issues like Right of Way (RoW) challenges and infrastructure security. And a look at his time so far as helmsman of the country’s regulatory agency has not seen a reshape of an industry that was losing its way.

The industry, a cornerstone of the nation’s digital economy contributing around 14.58% to GDP, faced mounting challenges: stagnant investments, escalating operational costs due to currency volatility, infrastructure vandalism, and regulatory gaps that hindered growth.

Maida, a seasoned technologist with a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath and over 15 years of experience in fintech and telecoms, stepped into the role with a mandate to revitalize the sector. Confirmed by the Senate in November 2023, his leadership has since ushered in a period of sweeping reforms, attracting over $1 billion in investments and positioning Nigeria for a more resilient digital future. As we reflect on his tenure two years in—amidst economic headwinds and rapid technological shifts—Maida’s overhaul has not only stabilized the industry but also set it on a path toward exponential growth.

A Technocrat’s rise: Background and appointment

Dr. Aminu Maida’s journey to the helm of the NCC is rooted in a blend of academic excellence and practical expertise. Hailing from Katsina State, Maida earned an MSc in Systems Engineering from Imperial College London before pursuing his doctorate. His early career included stints as a Systems Engineer at Ubiquisys (now part of Cisco) and consulting for EE, a subsidiary of the British Telecom Group. Prior to his NCC appointment, he served as Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), where he managed the nation’s payments infrastructure, overseeing critical operations that supported financial inclusion and digital transactions.

His nomination by President Tinubu on October 11, 2023, came at a pivotal moment.

The telecom sector was grappling with debts among operators, banks owing over N100 billion in Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) fees, and a tariff freeze that had lasted over a decade, rendering operations unsustainable amid rising costs. Diesel prices had quadrupled from ₦300 to ₦1,200 per liter, while currency fluctuations inflated equipment import costs by more than 70%. Broadband penetration hovered below 50%, far from the National Broadband Plan’s 70% target by 2025. Maida’s vision was clear: prioritize consumers’ need for quality service, provide a predictable environment for operators, and drive economic growth for the government through innovation and infrastructure.

Upon taking office, Maida emphasized data-driven decisions, professionalism, and cost-reflective policies. These pillars have guided his reforms, transforming the NCC from a reactive regulator to a proactive enabler of digital progress.

Sweeping reforms: Rebuilding the foundations

Maida’s overhaul began with addressing immediate pain points. One of his first triumphs was clearing intra-industry debts, including the resolution of over N100 billion in USSD disputes between telecom operators and banks. This not only restored financial stability but also fostered trust among stakeholders. The NCC under Maida also enforced the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage policy, completing it by September 2024 after multiple extensions, enhancing security and reducing fraud in the sector.

Economic reforms have been central to his strategy. Facing headwinds like forex volatility and energy cost spikes, Maida introduced cost-reflective policies, including adjustments to International Termination Rates (ITR) for inbound calls and a 50% cap on domestic tariff increases. These measures balanced operator sustainability with consumer affordability, unlocking over $150 million in investments for 4G expansion in underserved areas. By reverting to market-driven pricing, the sector attracted over $1 billion in new infrastructure investments in 2025 alone, reversing years of underinvestment.

One major operator, dormant in upgrades for three years, resumed network enhancements, with new equipment arriving by June 2025.

Infrastructure protection emerged as another priority. Maida championed the designation of telecom assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) through a June 2024 Presidential Order.

Collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NCC established a Telecom Industry Working Group to combat vandalism, leading to awareness campaigns, prosecutions, and the dismantling of theft cartels.

From January to August 2025, the sector recorded 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 equipment thefts, and over 19,000 access denials—issues Maida addressed through region-specific rapid response frameworks and community engagement.

On Right of Way (RoW) charges, Maida advocated for harmonization with states. Eleven states waived fees entirely, while 17 adopted the ₦145 per meter benchmark. At an October 2025 roundtable, he called for stronger federal-state partnerships, noting that a 10% broadband penetration increase could boost GDP by 1.38% in developing economies. These efforts have spurred pledges of over $1 billion in rollout investments, aiming to elevate broadband penetration from 48.81% in August 2025 toward the 70% goal.

Regulatory overhauls have been equally transformative. In November 2025, the NCC initiated reviews of three key instruments: Licensing Regulations, Enforcement Processes, and the Internet Code of Practice. The Licensing Regulations now simplify procedures with general authorizations, renewals, and sanctions to ease business operations. Enforcement expands to cover converging markets, while the Internet Code incorporates provisions on open internet access, cybersecurity, data protection, AI ethics, child safety, and anti-spam measures. Maida described these as essential for robust, forward-looking frameworks that build trust and foster innovation in the global digital ecosystem.

Data-driven tools like the Revenue Assurance Solution (RAS) and a joint committee with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have curbed revenue leakages, improved fiscal transparency, and ensured subscriber database integrity. Additionally, Maida introduced rules restricting ex-officials from telecom roles to enhance governance and investor confidence.

In August 2025, the removal of the 5% excise duty on telecom services, confirmed by Maida, alleviated burdens on subscribers and operators alike. This policy reversal, alongside tariff reviews, has been hailed as a boon for the digital economy.

Impacts: A sector transformed

The results of Maida’s leadership are tangible. Broadband penetration rose to 48.15% by May 2025, with mobile subscriptions at 224 million post-NIN-SIM adjustments. The sector supports 2.3 million jobs and has increased financial inclusion from 56% to 64% between 2020 and 2023. Investments have enabled 5G rollout, though only about 2,000 sites are operational due to challenges like forex and land acquisition. Maida’s goal is ambitious: elevating telecom’s GDP contribution to 25% through sustained growth.

Consumer protection has improved via updated Quality of Service (QoS) standards, public performance dashboards, and transparency in tariff disclosures. Initiatives like Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs) in states such as Enugu and Ogun enhance public safety. The NCC’s new board, appointed in August 2025, is poised to further propel growth, with Maida expressing confidence in its capacity to drive innovation.

Social media buzz, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), reflects public engagement. Posts from November and December 2025 highlight the regulatory reviews and excise duty removal, with users praising Maida’s quiet efficiency in steering the NCC.

Challenges amid progress

Despite successes, challenges persist. Economic volatility, including forex shortages, delays equipment deployment. Vandalism remains a threat, with ongoing efforts to mitigate it through MoUs and digital platforms for fibre cut coordination. Maida has navigated criticisms, such as tariff hikes, by capping increases and emphasizing long-term benefits like network upgrades.

Looking ahead: A future-proofed industry

Maida’s vision extends beyond immediate fixes. He advocates shifting from mere coverage to resilient, secure internet, revising the National Telecommunications Policy in Q4 2025. Strategies include fibre-to-buildings deployment, a Wholesale Fibre Study by mid-2026, and growing local ISPs for last-mile services. Public dashboards for QoS and outages will foster accountability, while 5G and broadband expansions catalyze sectors like e-commerce and digital payments.

Upcoming initiatives, such as the Ease of Doing Business Portal and Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), will streamline engagements and measure digital readiness. Maida envisions a sector that is reliable, affordable, and transparent within the next 12-24 months, enabling Nigeria’s economic transformation.

In just over two years, Dr. Aminu Maida has reshaped Nigeria’s telecom landscape from a beleaguered industry to a vibrant engine of growth. His data-driven, collaborative approach has attracted investments, protected infrastructure, and empowered consumers. As Nigeria marches toward its digital ambitions, Maida’s stewardship stands as a testament to strategic leadership in an ever-evolving sector. With ongoing reforms and a focus on innovation, the future looks connected—and bright.