Admin I Tuesday, February 10.2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a move signaling Nigeria’s intent to become a premier digital powerhouse in Africa, top officials from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) arrived in the capital city recently for high-level talks with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The visit, featuring Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, and Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh, ITU Regional Director for Africa, comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.
The discussions focused on a transition from “collaborative regulation” to the prestigious G5 status—the gold standard of global regulatory excellence.
Moving Toward the “Gold Standard”
Nigeria currently maintains a G4 regulatory status, a classification used by the ITU to denote countries with integrated, social, and economic regulation led by a mature ICT sector.
However, the push for G5 represents a leap toward “Collaborative Regulation,” where the regulator moves beyond simple oversight to become a proactive partner in digital transformation across multiple sectors like finance, health, and education.
“The engagement underscored Nigeria’s readiness for the next frontier,” said Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC. “We are not just looking at connectivity; we are looking at the institutional framework that governs a digital-first economy.”
Beyond status upgrades, the meeting served as a blueprint for future technical and institutional support.
Discussions explored:
Capacity Building: Deepening the technical expertise of NCC staff through ITU-led initiatives.
Launching joint projects aimed at bridging the rural-urban digital divide.
The presence of Mr. Babatunde Bamigoye from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) highlighted a unified front on data privacy and enforcement.
Nigeria’s Digital Ascent
Nigeria is currently home to Africa’s largest mobile market, but the path to G5 status requires more than just high subscriber numbers. It demands a regulatory environment that is:
Agile: Responding quickly to emerging tech like AI and Starlink-style satellite internet.
Inclusive: Ensuring digital literacy reaches the grassroots.
Secure: Strengthening the legal framework for data protection and cybersecurity.
The visit of Dr. Zavazava suggests that the ITU views Nigeria as a regional bellwether. If Nigeria successfully transitions to G5 regulation, it will serve as the primary blueprint for other African nations seeking to modernize their digital economies.
”The ITU remains committed to providing the technical and institutional support necessary for Nigeria to lead in the digital space,” noted Dr. Zavazava during the exchange.
Key Delegates in Attendance
The meeting brought together a “who’s who” of Nigerian digital policy, including:
Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of the NCC
Dr. Vola Tunji, National Commissioner
Mr. Gwa Tobbie Mohammed, Director of Commission Secretariat (NCC)
Mr. Babatunde Bamigoye, Head of Legal and Regulation (NDPC).
