Business
Section 82: Telecom Operators Urges Protection Of NCC Independence In Digital Bill To Boost Investors Confidence
that “Section 82 should be reviewed to safeguard institutional independence”
ALTON has issued a strong demand for the review of a specific clause in the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025, over concerns that it threatens the operational independence of regulatory bodies.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, speaking at the public hearing on Monday, highlighted that the provision governing Ministerial Directives could undermine the stable regulatory environment.
Adebayo stated that “Section 82 should be reviewed to safeguard institutional independence”, arguing that this independence is a non-negotiable principle for a thriving digital economy.
The association explained that maintaining a clear separation between policy-setting and operational regulation is not just a preference, but an international standard.
Adebayo emphasised that the Bill must “align with global standards that separate ministerial policy direction from operational regulation”. Without this clear boundary, the regulatory bodies, particularly the NCC, risk political interference in technical and operational matters, potentially compromising fairness and stability.
The primary motivation behind ALTON’s stance is the direct impact of regulatory independence on the investment climate.
According to Adebayo, ensuring this separation “will promote investor confidence and regulatory certainty”.
The telecommunications sector relies heavily on continuous capital injection, and arbitrary policy shifts or regulatory uncertainties, which can result from a lack of institutional independence, serve as major deterrents to both local and foreign investors.
In his concluding remarks, the ALTON Chairman stressed that the integrity of the regulatory system is paramount. By protecting the NCC’s independence, the Joint National Assembly Committees would be upholding a core principle that underpins the stability of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. The industry calls for the removal or substantial amendment of the problematic clause to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the digital economy.
