The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida has expressed the determination of the commission to collaborate with countries in the West African sub-region to bring about the expansion of digital economy and good life for the people.
Playing host to a high-level delegation from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) at the NCC’s Head Office in Abuja at the weekend, Dr. Maida stressed that the Commission is ever dedicated to strengthening partnerships with telecommunications regulators within the West African sub-region.
Represented during the visit of the LTA by the Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management at NCC, Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, the Commission’s Boss referred to the Commission’s nmandate, including collaboration with sister regulatory institutions within the sub-region and beyond to drive the expansion of digital economy and improve the living conditions of citizen.
The Executive Vice Chairman stressed the great importance of collaboration, adding that it is a core driver of the NCC Board.
He said that sustained engagement with regional partners is essential to advancing the interests of telecommunications consumers and various stakeholders.
Dr. Maida recalled the Commission’s advocacy for the recognition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as critical national infrastructure within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying that Nigeria has already designated ICT as part of its critical national information infrastructure to give it the prominence required for sustainable growth.
He assured the Liberian delegation of the NCC’s readiness to provide support in advancing regional shared initiatives and translating discussions into actionable outcomes within the sub-region.
This was even as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the LTA, Clarence Massaquoi, commended the NCC for making itself available in the spirit of regional coordination and collaboration, describing the engagement as critical to strengthening regulatory responsibilities across the sub-region.
Massaquoi acknowledged Nigeria as the largest economy in the region and a central player in Africa’s communications, security and economic structures, admitting that progress made by Nigeria often has far-reaching impacts across other West African countries.
He said that since his assumption of office as the Liberian chief telecom regulator, the LTA has prioritized strengthening relationships with regional institutions to support ECOWAS’ vision of integration as effective regional integration cannot be achieved without affordable and reliable communications services, particularly in addressing cross-border roaming challenges.
The LTA Chairman said that Liberia had signed bilateral agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire and is at advanced stages of discussion with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry and that the Liberian regulator remained committed to active participation in WATRA.
Massaquoi sought NCC’s support in regulatory capacity building and the sharing of best practices, particularly as Liberia reviews its licensing regime to reflect emerging technologies and align with regional standards.
The bosses of the two regulators underscored the centrality of shared commitment to deepen collaboration, identify priority areas for engagement and advance initiatives that will promote seamless connectivity, regional integration and socio-economic development across West Africa.
