ABSTRACT

This dissertation seeks to examine the legal framework for the regulation of telecommunications in Nigeria and highlight the various emerging issues and legal challenge therefrom. With the liberalization of the telecommunications sector and the emergence of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) in commercial quantity, the Nigerian telecommunications tempo has changed drastically, with licenses granted to private operators, thus breaking the monopolistic status of the Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL). A lot of benefits have been recorded over the years in the industry – investment has increased, job opportunities have been created and there has been a general economic growth and consumer benefit. New services have emerged and convergence in services has been a matter of convenience. Despite the huge achievements of telecommunications in the country, however, the sector has been faced with a lot of challenges such as multiple regulation, government interference in telecommunications matters, multiple, high and illegal taxation, cybercrime and security of infrastructure.Other emerging challenges include the challenges of cybersecurity, data protection of cyberusers, lack of a viable competition law, security of telecoms infrastructure, and the thorny issue of interconnectivity and access to network facilities. The sources, scope of application and historical development of Telecommunications Law were examined in chapter two of the research. Then the regulatory framework for the regulation of telecommunications (both local and international) was highlighted. Thereafter the emerging challenges were examined with an indepth analysis leading to far reaching findings and recommendations.