The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given telecommunications license holders a 45-day grace period to regularise changes made to their shareholding structures without regulatory approval.
The directive applies to companies that altered ownership stakes exceeding 10 per cent without first obtaining consent from the Commission, as required by law.
In a notice published on its official website, the Commission said the window was granted in exercise of its statutory authority under the Nigerian Communications Act.
According to the NCC, affected licensees are expected to use the 45-day period from the date of publication to correct any unapproved adjustments in their ownership structure that surpass the permitted threshold.
The Commission noted that it will not impose penalties for past violations related to such shareholding changes during the grace period.
However, it warned that once the window closes, strict enforcement actions will be taken against companies that fail to comply.
Such penalties, the Commission said, will be applied in accordance with the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes, etc.) Regulations.
The telecoms regulator further explained that the directive was issued pursuant to Regulations 41, 42 and 43 of the NCC Licensing Regulations, which mandate licensees to obtain prior approval before implementing major changes in ownership or control.
Industry analysts say the move signals a stronger push by the NCC to reinforce regulatory compliance, transparency and sound corporate governance within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Operators affected by the directive have therefore been advised to urgently engage with the Commission to regularise their ownership structures and avoid sanctions once the grace period expires.
