Ibrahim Dikko, former Vice President of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at Etisalat Nigeria, now 9mobile, says forward-looking telecoms regulations provided critical levers that enabled the late market entrant to establish itself in Nigeria’s competitive telecoms landscape.
Speaking exclusively on Technology Times TV, Dikko, now Chairman of Fibre One, says key regulatory interventions—particularly an asymmetric interconnection rate and waivers on clearinghouse traffic routing—were instrumental in accelerating Etisalat Nigeria’s rollout, years after MTN, Glo and Econet had already taken root in the local telecoms market.
The telecoms executive, who played a central role in policy advocacy, cites other market-shaping reforms including mobile number portability, colocation, infrastructure sharing, SIM registration, and dominance regulation as pivotal in ensuring competitive balance and consumer protection in the maturing sector.
“We came in late…so we focused on quality—both of the network and user experience,” Dikko says. “We also had strong support from the Etisalat Group, particularly on regulatory matters…a proactive regulator who listened to facts and justified cases made the difference.”
Dikko’s reflections offer a rare insider view into how regulatory foresight by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulator, helped level the playing field for new entrants.
The former Etisalat Nigeria executive notes that while major operators had first-mover advantages, the regulator’s use of asymmetry and exemption frameworks allowed Etisalat Nigeria to bypass early-stage barriers.
The telecoms executive, who played a central role in policy advocacy, cites other market-shaping reforms including mobile number portability, colocation, infrastructure sharing, SIM registration, and dominance regulation as pivotal in ensuring competitive balance and consumer protection in the maturing sector.
He notes that Nigeria’s regulatory evolution remains crucial as the market shifts from voice and connectivity to service quality, innovation and infrastructure-led competition.
“Regulation is cyclical…you mature, then move into softer areas like quality of experience and consumer protection,” Dikko observes.
“We have a young population…if we educate and harness that, we can leapfrog into global relevance,” he says.
On current industry concerns, Dikko supports telcos’ calls for tariff review, citing unsustainable operational costs driven by FX volatility, fuel price hikes, and vandalism of telecoms infrastructure.
“Frankly, it’s needed,” he says. “I don’t know of any other industry where prices have only gone down…The NCC has a cost model, and that provides the base for economically viable pricing.”
Looking forward, Dikko commends efforts by the Federal Government and Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to drive national fibre rollout and unify regulatory actions across agencies, citing initiatives like the proposed 90,000km fibre plan, the Digital Economy Bill, and MoUs with other government arms.
At Fibre One, where he now chairs the board, Dikko says lessons from GSM rollout continue to inform infrastructure expansion in Nigeria’s fibre-to-home and enterprise broadband segments.
“Government is supporting infrastructure better now…the ₦145 per metre RoW policy is helping,” he says, referencing the landmark move aimed at reducing arbitrary right-of-way charges.
On the future, Dikko identifies Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure expansion and the intersection of tech with Nigeria’s creative economy as key growth frontiers.
“We have a young population…if we educate and harness that, we can leapfrog into global relevance,” he says.
Dikko’s insights underscore the critical role of progressive regulation, public-private alignment, and technology-led transformation in shaping Nigeria’s telecoms journey—from GSM to AI.
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