Follow Us on Google
By Chinenye Anuforo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a new industry-wide study to assess the level of competition in Nigeria’s telecommunications market, as part of efforts to promote fair pricing, innovation and sustainable sector growth.
The initiative was announced at a stakeholders’ consultative forum in Lagos by the Head of Competition and Tariff at the NCC’s Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis Department, Mrs Omotayo Mohammed. She said the telecoms sector, which contributed about 9.1 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at the third quarter of 2025, remains a critical driver of the country’s digital economy.
According to Mohammed, the last comprehensive competition review was conducted in 2013, and recent changes in technology, consumer behaviour, investment patterns and market structure now make a fresh assessment necessary.
“Competition is the engine that drives innovation, affordability and consumer choice. But it must also be fair, effective and sustainable,” she said, adding that the Commission’s role is to maintain a level playing field that rewards efficiency and investment while keeping the market open to new entrants.
To ensure an independent and evidence-based process, the NCC has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to carry out the study. The review will examine both supply and demand sides of the market, including market concentration, pricing behaviour, access to infrastructure, barriers to entry, consumer usage, affordability and service quality.
Mohammed stressed that the credibility of the study would depend on the timely and accurate submission of data by operators, warning that incomplete or delayed responses could affect the quality of the findings and any regulatory actions that may follow.
Presenting the study framework, PwC said the exercise would run for 12 to 14 weeks and cover Nigeria’s voice and data markets. The engagement will include three stages — an initial briefing, an interim review of findings and a final presentation of conclusions.
PwC noted that while global telecoms revenues are projected to reach about $1.3 trillion by 2028, operators in sub-Saharan Africa face declining average revenue per user due to price pressure and changing consumer habits. The firm also highlighted the growing impact of digital platforms and over-the-top services such as WhatsApp and Zoom, which have reshaped traditional voice and messaging revenues.
Explaining the importance of the review, PwC said market leadership is healthy when driven by innovation and investment, but regulation is needed to ensure that dominance is not used to restrict competition or limit consumer choice.
The NCC said the outcome of the study would guide proportionate, evidence-based regulatory interventions aimed at strengthening competition and safeguarding the long-term stability of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
