NCC Targets Digital Overhaul After 19,384 Fibre Cuts in 2025

LAGOS — The Nigerian Communications Commission has unveiled a sweeping new National Telecommunications Policy 2026. The policy targets Nigeria’s most persistent telecom failures, including soaring data costs, frequent network outages, weak 5G rollout, and the epidemic of fibre-optic cable cuts that cost subscribers billions every year.

NCC presented key proposals at a policy review workshop in Lagos on Wednesday. The commission said Nigeria recorded a staggering 19,384 fibre-optic cable cuts in 2025. These cuts caused frequent service disruptions across the country and left millions without reliable internet for extended periods.

The NCC also disclosed that it has achieved only about 25 percent of its planned 2026 site upgrade targets. Existing 4G infrastructure is overstretched. Nigerians consumed over 4 billion gigabytes of data in the first quarter of 2026 alone. The network cannot keep up with demand.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida said the new policy will reshape Nigeria’s digital future. “We are proposing reforms that address the everyday problems subscribers face. We want cheaper data, fewer outages, and stronger security for every Nigerian,” Maida said at the workshop.

What the Policy Covers

The proposed reforms cover several key areas. These include restructuring telecom governance institutions, updating the Nigerian Communications Act, strengthening competition rules, and promoting infrastructure sharing and national roaming. The policy also addresses spectrum efficiency for 5G and future technologies.

In addition, the NCC is introducing more transparent tariff regulation. Telecom companies will be required to publish clearer pricing structures. Hidden charges and unexplained deductions from data and airtime balances have long been a major source of consumer complaints.

Furthermore, cybersecurity and digital scam protection are central to the 2026 policy. Nigeria loses billions annually to online fraud facilitated through telecom networks. The new framework will require operators to do more to detect and block scam calls, spam messages, and phishing attacks.

Industry and Consumer Reactions

Telecom operators said they welcome the policy review but want government to also address their operational challenges. These include multiple taxation, vandalism of infrastructure, and right-of-way disputes that delay network expansion. Operators say addressing these issues is essential for any meaningful improvement.

Consumer advocacy groups praised the NCC’s focus on data costs. Nigeria has some of the most expensive mobile data in Africa relative to average income. A policy that genuinely reduces data costs would benefit millions of Nigerians who currently ration their internet use due to cost.

The NCC said consultations on the proposed policy will continue as regulators work toward final adoption. A timeline for implementation has not been formally announced. Stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society will have further opportunities to contribute to the final framework.