By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Communications Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the Green Telecoms Initiative, positioning it as a critical pathway toward building a more sustainable and cost-efficient digital infrastructure in Nigeria.
The Commission said the initiative is projected to deliver up to 50 per cent reduction in operational costs across the telecommunications sector, while advancing environmentally responsible practices in line with global standards.
Speaking at the recently concluded Green Conference, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, underscored the importance of integrating sustainability into the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. Represented by the Commission’s Head of Projects, Shuaibu Swade, Maida described the telecommunications sector as uniquely positioned 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 noted that as Nigeria continues to expand its digital infrastructure, operators must embrace energy-efficient technologies and renewable-powered base stations to reduce carbon emissions and align with global environmental goals.
The Commission identified the transition from carbon-intensive power sources, such as diesel generators, to renewable energy solutions as a key strategy for achieving the initiative’s objectives. According to the NCC, this shift alone could cut operating costs by between 30 and 50 per cent, while significantly reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.
Further outlining the roadmap, Swade highlighted infrastructure sharing among telecom operators, wider adoption of renewable energy for telecom towers, and improved management of electronic waste as core pillars of the initiative. He added that the Commission is also strengthening Environmental, Social and Governance reporting standards to promote transparency and accountability across the telecommunications ecosystem.
The NCC emphasized that digital technologies themselves can serve as tools for sustainability by enabling remote work, digital services, and smart solutions that reduce travel and other carbon-intensive activities.
Stakeholders at the conference echoed these views, noting that green telecommunications networks not only lower operational costs but also enhance network resilience and improve connectivity, particularly in underserved rural communities.
Reiterating its position, the Commission stressed that the future of connectivity in Nigeria must be environmentally sustainable, calling on industry players to urgently embrace green solutions as both an economic and environmental imperative.
