The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced sweeping corporate governance measures that will prevent its senior officials from taking jobs in telecom companies they regulate until several years after leaving office.
Under the new Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Communications Industry, the Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and both executive and non-executive Board Commissioners are prohibited from joining any licensed telecom company until five years after their exit from the Commission. Directors of NCC departments face a three-year “cooling-off” period before accepting roles with companies under the Commission’s oversight.
The guidelines also tighten internal corporate controls within telecom firms. Board chairmen or vice-chairmen of licensed companies are barred from exercising executive powers or serving as managing director or chief executive officer. In addition, former board chairmen and non-executive directors cannot take up CEO or other executive positions in the same company or its affiliates until five years after leaving their board roles. No more than two members of the same family may serve on a licensee’s board at the same time.
According to the NCC, the policy is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical standards while supporting innovation in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. The new rules apply to all communications companies holding individual licences and paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022. The Commission may adjust compliance timelines for different licence categories and will communicate such decisions in writing.
The guidelines were officially launched in Lagos last week during an industry-wide event attended by key telecom stakeholders.
NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the reforms are intended to improve business sustainability, strengthen investor confidence, and enhance service quality in a sector that is critical to Nigeria’s digital economy. “Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now a strategic imperative, especially in a sector central to Nigeria’s digital future and vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, energy shocks, climate risks, and rising consumer demands,” Maida stated.
He revealed that an internal review by the Commission showed a strong link between effective governance structures and superior business performance in the telecom sector. “Companies with robust governance frameworks consistently outperformed their peers in service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance,” he said.
While acknowledging that the new rules may initially cause operational adjustments for some companies, the NCC stressed that the long-term benefits, such as improved service quality, stronger market trust, and more sustainable growth will outweigh any short-term disruptions.
