NCC Accelerates Green Telecoms Initiative, Targets 50% Cost Reduction
By Sunday Etuka
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed plans to continue to push Green Telecoms Initiative as part of efforts to transition Nigeria’s digital infrastructure toward environmentally sustainable technologies in line with global best practices.
According to the Commission, the initiative is expected to deliver up to 50 per cent cost reduction in the telecommunications sector, while also promoting eco-friendly operations.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who dropped the hint while speaking at the recently concluded Green Conference, said embracing green telecoms would enable operators to achieve significant cost savings alongside improved environmental sustainability.
Dr. Maida who was represented by the Commission’s Head of Projects, Mr. Shuaibu Swade, noted that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector sits at the intersection of connectivity and environmental responsibility.
“As a telecommunications regulator, we stand at the intersection of connectivity and sustainability. Telecommunications is the backbone of the digital economy, but it must also become a backbone of environmental responsibility,” he said.
He added that expanding digital infrastructure across the country presents both opportunities and obligations for operators to reduce carbon emissions through the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and renewable-powered base stations.
The NCC disclosed that one of the key strategies for achieving the initiative’s objectives is encouraging telecom operators to replace carbon-intensive generators with renewable energy solutions. This, according to the Commission, could reduce operating costs by between 30 and 50 per cent.
Maida further highlighted other focus areas of the initiative, including infrastructure sharing among operators, promotion of renewable energy for telecom towers, and improved management of electronic waste generated by digital equipment.
The Commission also revealed that it is strengthening Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting standards across the telecommunications ecosystem to enhance transparency and accountability in sustainability practices.
According to the NCC, digital technologies can play a critical role in reducing emissions by enabling remote work, digital services, and smart solutions that minimise travel and other carbon-intensive activities.
Stakeholders at the conference also emphasised that green telecommunications networks offer both environmental and economic benefits. They noted that such networks not only lower operational costs but also enhance network resilience and improve connectivity in underserved rural communities.
The NCC reiterated that the future of connectivity must be environmentally sustainable, urging industry players to embrace green solutions as a matter of urgency.
