The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to introduce stricter, non-monetary sanctions against ICT operators who repeatedly violate regulatory provisions and fail to meet service quality standards.
This move comes in response to continued poor service delivery by telecom tower companies and other providers, despite existing monetary fines.
The Commission, led by Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, said financial penalties have proven ineffective, as some companies reportedly budget for fines as routine expenses.
To address this, the NCC is proposing a review of its Enforcement Processes Regulations (EPR) 2019, with five key regulatory proposals aimed at deepening compliance and improving enforcement.
Among these is the shift from monetary penalties to administrative sanctions, such as restricting licensing privileges and holding management and boards of violating firms accountable.
Another proposal targets emerging offences like SIM boxing, call masking, and call refiling, expanding both criminal and administrative liabilities for such acts.
The Commission also plans to clarify general and specific fines, introduce asymmetrical enforcement (with varied penalties for large and small operators), and ensure that enforcement measures are fair and sustainable for all licensees.
The NCC has invited stakeholders to submit feedback ahead of activating its rule-making process in the third quarter of 2025.
The planned overhaul follows a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) conducted in 2024, which highlighted gaps in the clarity, fairness, and effectiveness of the current enforcement regime.
According to Maida, these reforms aim to prioritize regulatory compliance over revenue generation, safeguard Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, and encourage responsible behavior across the sector.
