The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a renewed drive to eliminate the sale and use of pre-registered SIM cards while strengthening telecom regulations across the country.
The announcement came on Tuesday during a public inquiry on three key subsidiary legislations — the Licensing Regulations 2019, Enforcement Process Regulations 2019, and Internet Code of Practice 2019 — held at the NCC headquarters in Abuja.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Barrister Rimini Makama, said the reforms are essential to tackling emerging challenges in Nigeria’s fast-evolving communications ecosystem.
“The updated Enforcement Process Regulations will provide a transparent and accountable framework for compliance monitoring, investigation, and sanctions,” Maida said, describing pre-registered SIM cards and call masking as serious threats to national security and operator revenue.
He explained that the revised Licensing Regulations are designed to reflect technological progress, streamline business processes, and promote innovation. “The revisions introduce provisions on general authorisations, license renewals, corporate restructuring, and sanctions to encourage innovation and improve the ease of doing business,” he said.
Speaking on the Internet Code of Practice, Dr. Maida noted that the updates aim to safeguard user rights, promote open internet access, and ensure service providers adhere to ethical and technical standards. The reforms address areas such as cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence, child online safety, and anti-spam controls.
The Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte — represented by Head of Dispute and Litigation, Lawrence Abang — said the review followed a six-month consultation process with stakeholders. She stressed that the amendments reaffirm the Commission’s commitment to transparent and inclusive regulation, strengthen compliance mechanisms, and boost investor confidence.
“The communications industry is undergoing a profound transformation in this digital era,” Whyte said, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks to evolve alongside technological innovation.
