NCC Imposes Five-Year Ban on Regulators Joining Telecom Firms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a landmark corporate governance policy that will significantly restrict the movement of its top officials into senior roles within telecom companies they oversee.

Under the new Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Communications Industry, the Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Board Commissioners—whether executive or non-executive—will be barred from accepting positions in any NCC-licensed telecom operator for a minimum of five years after leaving office.

The regulation also extends to the Commission’s Directors of Departments, who will now face a three-year ban before taking up any role in licensed operators.


The NCC’s directive goes beyond just regulators. Within licensed telecom companies, Board Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen will no longer be permitted to hold executive positions such as Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer. Furthermore, former board chairmen or non-executive directors cannot transition into executive roles within the same company—or its affiliates—until five years after stepping down.

To curb nepotism and conflicts of interest, the new guidelines also limit family representation on company boards, allowing no more than two members of the same family to serve simultaneously.

According to the NCC, the initiative is aimed at promoting transparency, ensuring accountability, and raising ethical standards across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, while encouraging innovation and safeguarding public trust.


The rules cover all communications companies holding individual licences and paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022. The Commission noted that while the guidelines will be applied broadly, it retains the discretion to adjust implementation timelines for different licence categories.

Speaking at the official launch of the guidelines in Lagos, NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the reforms were the result of extensive industry consultations and internal research showing a strong link between good governance and business success in telecoms.

“Corporate governance is no longer a box-ticking exercise—it is a strategic necessity, particularly in a sector that underpins Nigeria’s digital future and is increasingly exposed to cybersecurity threats, climate-related risks, and rising customer expectations,” Maida said.

He added that telecom operators with robust governance frameworks consistently outperform their peers in service delivery, financial management, and compliance with regulations.



While acknowledging that some operators might face short-term adjustments, the NCC stressed that the long-term benefits—including improved service quality, greater investor confidence, and stronger market stability—would far outweigh any transitional challenges.

Industry analysts believe the move could reshape Nigeria’s telecom governance landscape, reducing conflicts of interest and strengthening regulatory independence, a key factor for attracting foreign investment into the $75 billion telecom sector.

The guidelines come at a time when Nigeria’s telecom industry is navigating rapid technological shifts, 5G expansion, and increasing competition from fintech and satellite broadband providers.

With the new governance framework, the NCC aims to not only protect consumers but also position Nigeria’s telecom sector as a regional benchmark for ethical business practices in Africa.