The telecommunications industry has undoubtedly witnessed tremendous growth in Nigeria. It is a sector that directly impacts every aspect of human life, business, education, governance, family, entertainment, etc. Growth in the industry was slow for several years after Nigeria’s independence. The total telephone subscriptions from independence in 1960 to 2001 was a paltry 400,000 connected analogue lines, translating to a teledensity of 0.04%.
In realisation of the challenges, and the inability of NITEL, as a monopoly, to provide enough telephone services in the country, the then military government promulgated Decree 75 of 1992, establishing the Nigerian Communications Commission as the industry regulator for telecommunications. The establishment of the NCC set the pace for the deregulation of the sector — the then minister of communications, Olawale Ige, played a vital role in the deregulation exercise. Engr.
Some other objectives mandate the commission to encourage local and foreign investments in the Nigerian communications industry, introduce innovative services and practices in the sector, encourage fair competition, and promote Nigerian participation in the ownership, control, and management of communication companies and organisations.
Ahmed Joda’s board understood the enormity of the responsibility placed on them and set out to build one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the world. The board embarked on extensive consultations worldwide with regulators such as the Federal Communications Commission in the United States of America and other regulatory bodies worldwide. The commission also approached the World Bank for assistance and support.