By Uche Onyeali
Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida has called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to accelerate broadband deployment to reduce Right of Way, RoW, bottlenecks and safeguard Nigeria’s critical telecom infrastructure.
Maida, who made the call while speaking at a Business Roundtable Forum with states at the NCC Digital Economy Complex, Abuja, stressed that the country’s digital prosperity depends on aligning policies across all levels of government to foster investment, connectivity and inclusion.
“In earlier eras, a community without a railway or electricity could still subsist. In today’s world, a community without digital connectivity is invisible.
“It is cut off from education, markets, healthcare and opportunities. We must act decisively, state by state, community by community, to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
The roundtable, with the theme: ‘Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,’ brought together governors representatives, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss practical ways of harmonising policies that will enable broadband growth nationwide.
Maida highlighted the economic importance of broadband, noting that a 10 percent increase in broadband penetration can drive 1.38 percent Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth in developing economies.
With Nigeria’s broadband penetration standing at 48.81 percent as of August, the EVC emphasised that achieving the National Broadband Plan target of 70 percent could significantly enhance productivity, innovation and job creation.
He compared Nigeria’s digital potentials to success stories in Rwanda and India, where investments in broadband and digital governance have propelled economic expansion.
“With over 200 million people and a median age of 18, Nigeria should not only follow those trajectorie, s but surpass them if we equip our youths with reliable, affordable and high-speed connectivity,” he said.
Maida noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the leadership of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, NCC had implemented several strategic interventions to strengthen the telecommunications ecosystem.
He disclosed that through sustained advocacy, the Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII, Presidential Order was signed in June 2024, providing legal backing for the protection of telecom assets.
Working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, he said the commission established a Telecom Industry Working Group to ensure full operationalisation of the Order.
He added that public awareness campaigns, enforcement efforts and prosecutions have already led to the dismantling of major cartels behind telecom equipment theft across the country.
On Right of Way, he revealed that 11 states have now waived charges entirely, while 17 others have aligned with the N145 per meter benchmark set by the Nigerian Governors Forum.
“Policy direction matters. In states that have waived RoW and supported infrastructure protection, operators are expanding networks with greater confidence.
“Policy direction matters. In states that have waived RoW and supported infrastructure protection, operators are expanding networks with greater confidence,” he said.
The EVC announced that telecom operators have collectively pledged over $1 billion in new rollout investments to expand broadband coverage nationwide.
He also unveiled two upcoming NCC initiatives: The Ease of Doing Business Portal, a one-stop digital platform to simplify information access and engagement with the 36 states and the FCT.
The Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index, NDCI, a yearly scorecard to measure and publish each state’s digital readiness and competitiveness.
Despite progress, Maida acknowledged the ongoing challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, multiple taxation, energy instability and inconsistent RoW regimes.
Between January and August alone, the NCC recorded 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 equipment theft and over 19,000 access denials to telecom sites.
He urged governors to adopt uniform, pro-investment policies and strengthen partnerships that promote security and sustainability in the digital sector.
“Oil pipelines are giving way to pipelines of fibre. The prosperity of our states will depend on how fast we build, protect and connect our digital networks,” he concluded.
