By Chinedu Okafor
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct an independent, data-driven assessment of competition in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
This marks the first comprehensive industry-wide review in over a decade, following the last major study in 2013. The move comes amid rapid technological change, evolving consumer expectations, and increasing investment costs that continue to reshape the telecom landscape.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, NCC’s Head of Competition and Tariff, Mrs. Omotayo Mohammed, emphasized the importance of the study in ensuring fair and sustainable competition. She noted that the telecom sector now contributes about 9.1% to Nigeria’s GDP and serves as a backbone for digital innovation and inclusion.
“Competition is the engine that drives innovation, affordability, and consumer choice. But it must also be fair, effective, and sustainable,” Mohammed said.
The study will examine both supply-side and demand-side dynamics, including market structure, pricing behavior, barriers to entry, consumer usage patterns, and service quality. PwC is expected to bring global expertise in competition economics and regulatory advisory to the assignment.
PwC’s Director of Strategy, Akolawole Odunlami, highlighted global and regional trends affecting the sector. He noted that while subscriber bases in sub-Saharan Africa continue to grow, average revenue per user (ARPU) is declining. He also pointed to the growing importance of digital-first consumer behavior, lifestyle services, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as WhatsApp and Teams.
Odunlami added that 5G adoption in Nigeria remains limited compared to global averages, with infrastructure and investment challenges slowing uptake. He stressed the need for government support in research and development to accelerate growth.
The NCC clarified that the study is diagnostic in nature and not intended to identify winners or losers. Instead, it aims to provide evidence-based insights to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote fair competition, and ensure consumers benefit from affordable, high-quality services.
