The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has attributed its low revenue in 2024 to the inability to auction 5G spectrum licences.
This was revealed during the 2025 budget defence before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Communications.
The NCC’s Director of Financial Services, Yakubu Gontor, explained that market conditions prevented the sale.
He noted that two major telecom operators already have 5G licences but are not fully utilizing them.
The third-largest operator, which was expected to buy the available slot, chose to focus on expanding its business instead.
With only one slot available and a limited number of interested buyers, the auction could not proceed.
Despite a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, Gontor stated that spectrum sales may not generate more revenue in 2025.
He added that service quality remains a priority, and telecom operators are focusing their investments elsewhere.
NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Maida, reported that the commission earned N195.8 billion in 2024, remitting N111 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
However, the NCC had projected N292.3 billion in earnings, a target it missed due to the failed 5G auction.
Maida also mentioned that new technologies, including 6G, could generate over $1 billion in the future.
The 2025 budget projects total revenue of N272.43 billion, with N205.7 billion expected from operating levies and N49.78 billion from spectrum fees.
The committee’s co-chairman, Aliyu Bilbis, stated that the NCC’s report would help lawmakers assess and improve the commission’s operations in the coming year.
