Telecom Reforms Could Secure Tinubu’s Second Term — Rep. Agbese

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has said that reforms in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector could become President Bola Tinubu’s strongest asset for re-election in 2027.

Addressing National Assembly correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, Agbese argued that while Nigerians have endured hardship from economic reforms in other sectors, the impact of telecom transformation is immediate and felt by millions of citizens daily.

“The transformation in telecoms is not cosmetic; it is foundational. When millions of Nigerians get safer, more reliable connectivity, and when our networks deliver broadband that supports jobs, education and business, citizens will remember who made that possible. That is why reforms in this sector alone can merit another mandate for President Tinubu,” Agbese said.

According to him, one of the most significant milestones of Tinubu’s administration has been the consolidation of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage — a process that had stalled for years under previous governments.

Figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) indicate that over 153 million SIM cards have now been harmonised with the NIN, a development Agbese described as “one of the most far-reaching exercises in Nigeria’s digital history.”

He also highlighted progress in broadband penetration, noting that access to high-speed internet is steadily expanding and reshaping education, business, and civic engagement nationwide.

“Connectivity is the new infrastructure. More people online means more economic activity, a broader taxation base and greater resilience. This is the quiet revolution that the Tinubu administration is delivering,” he added.

Agbese further praised the administration’s policy direction on 5G technology, spectrum licensing, and removal of multiple levies, saying it has boosted investor confidence and kept services relatively affordable despite economic headwinds.

“President Tinubu deserves credit for recognising the strategic importance of this sector. By encouraging reforms that promote investment, the government has ensured that Nigeria remains one of the fastest-growing digital markets in Africa,” he said.

The lawmaker, however, admitted that challenges persist, especially in extending reliable services to rural communities and ensuring that tariff changes do not worsen the digital divide. He urged telecom operators to scale up investments while calling on regulators to maintain policy stability.

Despite these hurdles, Agbese insisted that telecoms reforms remain a tangible achievement that ordinary Nigerians can feel directly in their schools, markets, and workplaces.

“Delivery on telecoms is visible and impactful. It is the kind of delivery people feel – and remember – when they go to vote,” he concluded.