NCC Hosts Liberian Telecoms Authority, Pledges Deeper Regional Integration »

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation among telecommunications regulators in West Africa following a high-level courtesy visit by a delegation from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The visit, which brought together senior officials from both regulatory bodies, underscored the need for enhanced collaboration aimed at promoting seamless connectivity, regulatory harmonisation and socio-economic development across the sub-region.

Speaking during the engagement, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said closer ties among telecoms regulators in West Africa had become necessary to advance regional integration and expand the digital economy.

Represented by the Director, Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, Maida assured the visiting delegation that the Commission would intensify partnerships with sister regulatory institutions within and beyond the sub-region.

He noted that such collaboration aligns with the Commission’s mandate to support digital economy growth and improve the living standards of citizens across member states.

According to him, the NCC has a longstanding commitment to regional cooperation through platforms such as the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).

“The region becomes stronger and more prosperous when all countries are interconnected,” Maida said, adding that sustained engagement with regional partners remains essential to protecting the interests of telecommunications consumers and other stakeholders.

He also recalled the Commission’s advocacy within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the recognition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as critical national infrastructure, noting that Nigeria had already designated ICT as part of its critical national information infrastructure to promote sustainable growth.

Maida further assured the Liberian delegation of NCC’s readiness to support shared initiatives and translate deliberations into concrete outcomes across the sub-region.

Earlier, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the LTA, Hon. Clarence K. Massaquoi, commended the NCC for its openness and leadership in regional collaboration, describing the engagement as vital for strengthening regulatory responsibilities in West Africa.

He observed that Nigeria, as the region’s largest economy and a major player in Africa’s communications ecosystem, exerts significant influence across security and economic structures in the sub-region.

Massaquoi said the LTA had prioritised partnerships with regional institutions to support ECOWAS’ integration agenda, stressing that effective integration cannot be achieved without affordable and reliable communications services, especially in addressing cross-border roaming challenges.

He disclosed that Liberia has already signed bilateral agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire and is in advanced discussions with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry, adding that the Liberian regulator remains committed to active participation in WATRA.

The LTA chairman also requested NCC’s support in regulatory capacity building and the sharing of best practices as Liberia reviews its licensing framework to accommodate emerging technologies and align with regional standards.

Officials of both regulators emphasised their shared commitment to deepen cooperation, identify priority areas of engagement and implement initiatives that will enhance connectivity, accelerate regional integration and foster economic growth throughout West Africa.

Present at the meeting were Executive Secretary of WATRA, Engr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki; Head, Public Affairs at NCC, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha; NCC’s Director, Licensing and Authorisation, Usman Mamman; and LTA Commissioner with oversight responsibility for Licensing and Regulation, Hon. Ben Fofana, among others.