FG, ATCON promise improved service quality as new bill nears presidential assent

By Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Federal Government and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) have assured Nigerians of better connectivity, broader broadband access, and improved service delivery as the Digital Economy Bill nears presidential assent.

This assurance was reiterated during the Minister–Regulator and Telecoms Executive Forum and Awards Night 2025 held over the weekend in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the Digital Economy Bill, expected to be signed into law soon by President Bola Tinubu, was designed to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape and strengthen the delivery of public services.

Tijani explained the bill introduces frameworks that will support secure digital signatures, expand technological uptake in governance, and unlock new opportunities for digital engagement nationwide.

“That bill is going to transform the digital economy in the country completely. For things like digital signatures to be accepted, providing a strong framework for how the government will start to use technology to deliver public services. There are so many things that we need to see there. It will change the sector,” he said.

The minister acknowledged persistent challenges in the telecom sector, such as Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks, frequent cable cuts, and vandalism of national infrastructure. He noted, however, that efforts through the Office of the National Security Adviser were being intensified to tackle these issues and build more resilient infrastructure.

ATCON President, Mr Tony Emoekpere, also addressed the forum, noting that the industry’s ambitions rely on robust partnerships throughout the value chain.

He said the 2025 forum, themed “Driving Nigeria’s Digital Economy: Policy, Regulation, and Industry Synergy,” was convened to unite stakeholders to address enduring industry challenges.
Despite obstacles, Emoekpere affirmed that operators remain committed to meeting consumer expectations.

“Our digital ambition depends on infrastructure and infrastructure depends on partnership. With tariff adjustments now in play, we must uphold affordability and service quality, especially as we address RoW challenges, streamline fibre deployment, and enable last-mile connectivity,” he stated.

The awards night also recognised personalities and organisations whose contributions have driven sectoral growth. Honourees included the executive governors of Benue, Cross River, Ogun, and Nasarawa States, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who all received Telecoms Excellence Awards.