The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, has called on state governments to implement standardised Right of Way (RoW) policies and enhance the protection of telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate broadband expansion and digital advancement across Nigeria.
During a business roundtable at the NCC Digital Economy Complex in Abuja, themed “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,” Dr Maida highlighted that affordable, high-speed internet is essential for economic inclusion and national competitiveness.
He reported that Nigeria’s broadband penetration reached 48.81% as of August 2025, with more than 140 million internet users. Furthermore, Dr Maida mentioned that a 10% increase in broadband access could potentially boost GDP growth by at least 1.3%.
Dr Maida outlined several initiatives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to enhance connectivity and safeguard critical infrastructure. These include the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order, signed in June 2024, which grants law enforcement authority to address vandalism and theft of telecom assets.
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the NCC has launched a Telecommunications Industry Working Group to enforce this order and raise public awareness about its importance.
He noted that 11 states currently impose no RoW fees, while 17 others have adopted the benchmark of ₦145 per linear metre established by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. These reforms have bolstered investor confidence, prompting telecom operators to commit over $1 billion to new broadband deployments nationwide.
However, Dr Maida cautioned that infrastructure vandalism, inconsistent regulations, and excessive taxation continue to hinder progress. Between January and August 2025, the NCC documented over 19,000 cases of fibre cuts, 3,241 theft incidents, and numerous access denials to telecom facilities.
He urged states to improve permitting processes, coordinate public works to minimise accidental fibre cuts, and develop incentives to attract broadband investment.
To enhance collaboration and transparency, the NCC plans to introduce two new initiatives soon: the Ease of Doing Business Portal and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), designed to evaluate and promote digital readiness at the state level.
Dr Maida stressed that Nigeria’s future prosperity is rooted in data and connectivity, rather than natural resources, urging governments and industry stakeholders to collaborate to foster a resilient and inclusive digital economy.
