FG, States Must Work In Synergy to Drive Digital Transformation – AGF Fagbemi
L-R: Head, Legal & Regulatory Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Chizua Whyte; Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele; Attorney General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, SAN; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida; and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Barr. Rimini Makama, during the 1st edition of a two-day Annual Workshop for Attorneys General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Industry, hosted by the Commission which started in Lagos on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN, has emphasized the urgent need for strengthened collaboration between federal and state governments in regulating the communications sector as a key driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Fagbemi made this known during his keynote address at the Workshop for Attorneys-General of States held on July 30th and 31st, 2025, with the theme “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for Digital Transformation in Nigeria.”
Commending the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for organizing the workshop, the AGF described digital transformation as a critical component of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. He noted that effective regulation of the communications sector must prioritize rights protection, including data privacy, consumer rights, and the creation of business-friendly regulatory frameworks.
“The justice and judicial sectors must play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring a level playing field, and protecting critical infrastructure. We must bring saboteurs and offenders to justice,” Fagbemi stated.
He expressed concern over persistent challenges such as multiple taxation, infrastructure vandalism, regulatory overlap, and Right-of-Way (RoW) bottlenecks, which continue to slow down broadband expansion and hinder digital growth.
The Minister cited notable incidents such as:
The 2024 Ogun State multiple taxation case, which halted telecom expansion due to conflicting local levies.
The vandalization of telecom base stations in Kano in 2023, describing them as acts of economic sabotage.
However, he praised proactive state efforts like Anambra State’s adoption of a unified RoW policy, which led to a 38% increase in fibre optic expansion within six months.
“The three arms of government must work together. Laws should be strengthened, policies harmonized, and offenders punished,” Fagbemi stressed.
“Attorneys-General are uniquely placed to guide state policies, enforce digital rights, and advise on constitutionally sound frameworks.”
He recommended the creation of a Federal-State Regulatory Coordination Forum, harmonized legal and policy frameworks, and joint enforcement mechanisms to enhance synergy in digital regulation.
In conclusion, the AGF charged all Attorneys-General and stakeholders to commit to a unified front with the NCC and other bodies to deliver a digitally transformed communications sector that supports Nigeria’s overall development goals.
