By Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has demanded six request from Governors and States, operators, the private sector, security agencies, and development partners to join in the task of protection and expansion of Nigeria’s connectivity.
The request is coming on the heels of the launching of the Ease of Doing Business Portal, a one-stop-shop that provides information and link to our 36 States and nation’s capital city today, October 9, 2025.
Also, to be unveiled today is the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), a framework to measure and publish annually each State’s digital readiness and competitiveness, creating a transparent scorecard to drive accountability.
Speaking at business roundtable on the Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said that invited critical stakeholders in the telecoms ecosystem in Nigeria to be a partner in the operationalisation and enforcement of telecom assets as critical infrastructure.
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Be a partner in the operationalisation and enforcement of telecom assets as critical infrastructure.
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Adopt 100% RoW waiver statewide (or at minimum the NGF benchmark), with clear SLA timelines for approvals.
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Institutionalise coordination between road/public works and operators—shared planning portals, advance works notifications, and dig-once protocols to prevent accidental cuts.
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Embrace transparency: Publish standard processes, timelines, and fees; adopt single- window permitting where possible.
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Create state digital-infra funds/incentives to crowd in private fibre in rural or underserved areas; leverage PPPs for open-access backbone and metro builds.
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Facilitate energy resilience: Support hybrid/solar power at sites to improve uptime and reduce OPEX and emissions.
The NCC’s boss who spoke on the theme: “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity”, said: “Waiving RoW charges, protecting telecom infrastructure, and proactively supporting fibre deployment are decisions that can determine the prosperity or stagnation of your states.”
According to him, states that have waived RoW and supported infrastructure protection, operators are expanding networks with greater confidence saying, that this proves that policy direction matters.
He called for the need to align across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for every state to embrace uniform, pro-investment policies, noting “we can transform Nigeria into a continental digital powerhouse.”
Maida disclosed that time is not the sides of the Governors, ministers, and all other stakeholders in the sector stressing that the global digital race is accelerating.
He said: “Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries; outsourcing is shifting to low-cost, high-connectivity environments. If our broadband backbone is weak, our youth will be marginalized, and our economy will likely not achieve its full potential.”
He harped on the persistent challenge facing broadband expansion in Nigeria: which is the fragmented and unpredictable Right of Way (RoW) regimes across different states, which create delays and cost uncertainties for operators.
“This problem is compounded by inconsistent enforcement of critical infrastructure protection, weak coordination with road authorities, and the absence of clear construction planning protocols.
“Beyond these, the sector continues to contend with energy supply volatility, multiple taxation, and cumbersome permitting processes, all of which pose significant headwinds to progress”, he stated.
