Focusing on the Consumer: NCC Outlines Strategic Roadmap for 2026 Priorities

As the new year begins, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a consumer-centric agenda for 2026, placing a renewed emphasis on service excellence, billing transparency, and infrastructure resilience.

Under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Commission’s roadmap seeks to transform the everyday experience of millions of Nigerian telecom users.

A New Standard for Voice and Data

The primary goal for 2026 is to ensure that Nigerians enjoy “measurable improvement“ in their quality of experience.

The Commission has explicitly promised that consumers should expect improved voice quality and more consistent data performance in their daily digital interactions.

To achieve this, the NCC plans to:

Deepen Quality of Service (QoS) Monitoring: Implementing more rigorous oversight to identify and address network bottlenecks.

Target High-Traffic “Black Spots“: Driving practical measures to improve network availability in busy urban centers and persistent areas of poor coverage.

Minimize Disruptions: Working with operators to reduce avoidable service outages and ensure faster restoration when incidents occur.

Ending the “Hidden Fee” Era: Tariff and Billing Transparency

One of the most significant pillars of the 2026 agenda is a crackdown on complex and confusing billing systems.

The NCC has mandated that operators simplify their offerings to ensure Nigerians receive full value for their money.

Key Consumer Expectations for 2026:

Simpler Tariffs: Introduction of more transparent bundles that are easy for the average user to understand.

Billing Accuracy: Reinforced protections against misleading practices and errors in airtime or data deductions.

Prompt Value Reversal: A specific commitment to ensuring successful recharges and the immediate return of funds for unsuccessful attempts.

Strengthening Accountability and Corporate Governance

The NCC is not only looking at technical metrics but also at the leadership of the companies providing these services.

In 2026, the Commission will operationalize a revised Corporate Governance Code for the sector.

This move is designed to make board and management accountability a key driver of an operator’s actual performance on the ground.

Operators are expected to treat customer complaints not as a nuisance, but as “critical feedback” that must be handled with upgraded care and faster resolution times.

A Shared Vision for a $1 Trillion Economy

This strategic shift aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to build a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.

By ensuring a fair, competitive, and high-quality communications sector, the NCC believes it can unlock greater productivity and innovation for all Nigerians.

“Our shared ambition is simple: better services that people can feel,” stated Dr. Maida. “When this balance is right, between consumer protection and operator sustainability, trust is built, and more Nigerians can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

NCC’s 2026 Priorities at a Glance

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