By Chinenye Anuforo
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has called on state governments to align their policies on Right of Way (RoW) and step up protection of telecom infrastructure to fast-track broadband investment and digital inclusion across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure held at the NCC Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, Dr. Maida said broadband is now as vital to the economy as power and transport, stressing that “a community without digital connectivity is invisible.”
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The roundtable, themed “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,” brought together state representatives, private sector leaders, and key policymakers to discuss the future of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Dr. Maida likened broadband access to the industrial revolutions of the past—steam, rail, and electricity—describing data and digital infrastructure as the new engines of economic progress.
“When connectivity fails, opportunities evaporate, productivity stalls, and in critical situations, lives can be at risk. Nations that invest in digital infrastructure move ahead; those that hesitate, fall behind,” he said.
According to him, as of August 2025, broadband penetration in Nigeria stood at 48.81%, with over 140 million people connected to the internet. The ICT and telecom sector remains one of the top contributors to Nigeria’s GDP, and research shows that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can raise GDP by about 1.38% in developing economies.
“With over 200 million people and a median age of 18, Nigeria can not only follow but surpass countries like Rwanda and India if we provide reliable and affordable high-speed connectivity,” he added.
Highlighting progress under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the NCC boss said the Commission has been implementing the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), which targets 70% broadband penetration and 90,000 km of fibre optic backbone by the end of this year.
He commended the signing of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order in June 2024, which grants legal protection to telecom assets and empowers law enforcement agencies to curb vandalism and theft.
“Working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, we have launched awareness campaigns, engaged communities, and supported prosecutions to deter vandalism,” Maida noted.
“Between January and August 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded over 19,000 fibre cuts and 3,200 cases of equipment theft, a situation that disrupts service and raises operational costs.”
He also acknowledged the progress made in reducing Right of Way charges. “Five additional states, Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, and Zamfara, have recently waived RoW fees, bringing the total number of states offering zero charges to 11, while 17 others have capped rates at N145 per metre,” he said.
According to him, the Commission continues to promote the “dig-once” policy, improve regulatory transparency, and create cost-reflective tariffs that have boosted investor confidence with operators committing over $1 billion in new broadband expansion investments.
Maida urged all state governments to support the broadband agenda by fully adopting the NGF-approved RoW benchmark, protecting telecom assets, and aligning with national standards for fibre deployment.
“Every governor in this room holds a lever that can determine the prosperity or stagnation of their state. In states that have waived RoW fees and protected infrastructure, operators are expanding confidently. We need this alignment nationwide,” he said.
He recommended that states: adopt 100% RoW waiver or NGF-approved rates; coordinate public works with telecom operators to prevent accidental fibre cuts; establish digital infrastructure funds and incentives for rural expansion; and support energy resilience through hybrid and solar-powered sites.
The EVC announced that the NCC will soon launch two strategic tools to promote transparency and accountability: the Ease of Doing Business Portal, a one-stop platform linking investors to all 36 states and the FCT; and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), an annual framework that will measure and publish each state’s digital readiness and competitiveness.
“These tools will help states see where they stand, what’s working, and where improvements are needed,” Maida said.
Closing his remarks, Maida urged participants to see broadband not just as a technology issue, but as a national development priority.
“In the 21st century, prosperity lies in data, connectivity, and human potential. Pipelines of oil are giving way to pipelines of fibre. The digital revolution does not wait. Let us align, invest, and protect for the prosperity of our people and the future of our nation,” he said.
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