The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new set of corporate governance guidelines. These guidelines have been introduced for the telecommunications industry, which marks a significant milestone in its regulatory evolution.
Speaking at the launch event in Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC, Aminu Maida, said that the 2025 telecom corporate governance guidelines are not merely a compliance tool, but a strategic framework for long-term sustainability, investment security, and digital trust in Nigeria’s fast-growing telecom ecosystem.
“This launch is not just about compliance. It’s about sustainability of networks of investments of innovation and of customer trust,” Maida stated.
The telecom corporate governance guidelines represent a culmination of more than a decade of regulatory evolution with the first voluntary code being introduced in 2014. In 2023 and 2024 they have incorporated feedback from wide-ranging public consultations that help to adapt the best practices in the business environment of Nigeria.
According to Maida, the new provisions will become mandatory for licensees in phases, beginning with priority license classes. Key highlights include:
- Strengthened board structure with emphasis on sector-specific expertise.
- Greater transparency through certified mid-year and annual compliance reports.
- <span;>Stronger internal controls and enterprise risk management.
- Mandated ESG and CSR disclosures with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
“Our analysis last year showed that firms with strong governance outperformed others in financial returns, regulatory compliance, and service delivery,” Maida revealed, linking corporate governance to operational resilience and investor confidence.
He further charged telecom operators to see the guidelines as a “toolkit for sustainable value creation” rather than a regulatory burden, urging them to invest in director education, improve risk management systems, and tie executive performance to governance-linked outcomes.
The Commission pledged continued support for operators, with Maida reaffirming its commitment to “engage, enable and enforce—in that order.”
Adding to it, the guidelines were introduced when the sector is facing increasing cybersecurity threats, rising consumer expectations, and the demand for faster broadband expansion. The Nigerian telecom sector emains one of the country’s most strategic growth engines with subscriptions more than 200 million.
“This is a decisive step towards a resilient, ethical and innovative telecoms industry,” Maida concluded.