News Highlights:
- NCC identifies AI and IoT as key drivers of Nigeria’s digital economy
- The Commission highlights major initiatives to support AI and IoT adoption
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has underscored the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in driving business efficiency, economic transformation and Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy.
Speaking at the 17th Edition of the Nigeria Communications Week (NigComWeek) organised Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Award, held in Lagos during the weekend, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said AI and IoT have evolved from emerging concepts into powerful tools that are reshaping productivity, reducing operational costs and creating competitive advantages across industries.
Addressing industry leaders, regulators, innovators and stakeholders at the event themed “Impact of AI and IoT on Business Operational Efficiency,” Maida, who was represented by Toluwalase Modele Rufai, Acting Controller, NCC Lagos Office, described the technologies as indispensable to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
“This year’s theme is not only timely but profoundly important,” he said. “As Nigeria accelerates its journey toward a $1 trillion digital economy, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things have moved from futuristic concepts to present-day drivers of productivity, cost optimisation, and competitive advantage across every sector. For Nigeria, embracing these technologies is not optional — it is essential for national development and economic transformation.”
While noting that the impact of AI and IoT is already evident across key sectors of the economy, he stated that AI-powered predictive analytics is helping manufacturers anticipate equipment failures before they occur, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs, while IoT-enabled sensors are transforming agriculture through real-time monitoring of soil moisture and nutrient levels.
He added that connected devices are also revolutionising logistics and supply chain management by improving visibility, reducing delays, lowering fuel consumption and enhancing customer satisfaction.
“Across banking, healthcare, smart cities, manufacturing, and governance, these technologies are streamlining operations, automating routine tasks, and unlocking data-driven decision-making that was unimaginable just a decade ago,” he said. “The result is higher efficiency, lower operational costs, greater sustainability, improved service delivery, and enhanced customer experience for citizens and businesses alike.”
The NCC boss, however, stressed that the benefits of AI and IoT can only be fully realised through the availability of reliable and resilient telecommunications infrastructure.
“At the heart of every AI and IoT deployment lies one critical enabler: resilient, high-capacity connectivity,” he stated. “Without secure, scalable broadband networks, the full promise of real-time data exchange, seamless device interoperability, and intelligent automation remains unfulfilled.”
Maida explained that this reality has informed the Commission’s continued focus on strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for innovation and investment.
He disclosed that the NCC is currently reviewing the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020–2025 to improve efficiency and sustainability within the telecommunications ecosystem. The Commission is also engaging state governments to reduce Right-of-Way charges and administrative bottlenecks in order to accelerate fibre infrastructure deployment across the country.
In addition, he revealed that the NCC has made harmonised spectrum resources available to support mobile broadband, fixed wireless access and IoT services, while the newly released 2026–2030 Spectrum Roadmap is expected to unlock additional opportunities for broadband expansion, satellite connectivity and emerging technologies such as Wi-Fi 6.
“With broadband penetration exceeding 52 per cent and growing 4G and 5G adoption, these efforts enhance efficient spectrum management, drive innovation, provide regulatory certainty, and position Nigeria in line with global best practices,” he said.
Highlighting the Commission’s support for emerging technologies, Maida noted that the NCC’s recently introduced General Authorisation Framework provides a regulatory sandbox that allows innovators to test AI, IoT, blockchain and other digital solutions in a controlled environment.
He also pointed to the Commission’s efforts in strengthening cybersecurity and consumer protection, including the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the introduction of a Zero-Trust cybersecurity framework, and the implementation of guidelines aimed at ensuring that AI and IoT ecosystems remain secure and trustworthy.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that AI and IoT ecosystems remain secure, ethical, and trustworthy, while consumer education campaigns continue to empower Nigerians to adopt new digital services safely,” he said.
Maida further emphasised the importance of collaboration among government, regulators, industry players, academia and investors in overcoming challenges such as inadequate power supply, skills gaps, consumer protection concerns and data privacy issues.
“Regulators, operators, technology providers, policymakers, academia, and investors must work in concert to address remaining challenges while maintaining consumer protection and data privacy,” he said. “The NCC remains fully committed to creating an enabling, predictable regulatory environment that attracts investment, spurs innovation, and delivers inclusive growth.”
He urged stakeholders to remain focused on building a digitally empowered nation where AI and IoT are leveraged not only to improve business efficiency but also to transform lives and strengthen the economy.
“As we gather here for the ICT Anniversary Lecture, the Commemorative Awards and the Regulatory Roundtable, I encourage all stakeholders to reaffirm our collective resolve to build a digitally empowered Nigeria where AI and IoT do not merely enhance business efficiency, but transform lives, strengthen our economy, and position our nation as a leader in Africa’s digital future,” he stated.
The Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Award event brought together key stakeholders from Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem to discuss emerging trends, policy directions and technological innovations shaping the future of the country’s digital economy.