The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has urged state governments to adopt uniform Right of Way (RoW) policies and strengthen protection for telecommunications infrastructure to fast-track broadband expansion and digital growth across Nigeria.
Speaking at a business roundtable with states held at the NCC Digital Economy Complex, Abuja, themed “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,”
Dr. Maida said affordable, high-speed connectivity is now the foundation of economic inclusion and national competitiveness.
He noted that Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 48.81 per cent as of August 2025, with over 140 million internet users, adding that a 10 per cent increase in broadband access could raise GDP growth by at least 1.3 per cent.
Dr. Maida outlined several initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to boost connectivity and protect critical infrastructure.
These include the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order, signed in June 2024, which empowers law enforcement to tackle vandalism and theft of telecom facilities.
Working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the NCC has also launched a Telecommunications Industry Working Group to enforce the order and raise public awareness.
He disclosed that 11 states now charge zero RoW fees, while 17 others have adopted the ₦145 per linear metre benchmark set by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
These reforms, he said, have spurred confidence among investors, with telecom operators committing over $1 billion to new broadband rollouts nationwide.
However, Maida warned that infrastructure vandalism, inconsistent regulations, and multiple taxation still undermine progress.
Between January and August 2025, the NCC recorded over 19,000 fibre cuts, 3,241 equipment thefts, and thousands of access denials to telecom sites.
He urged states to streamline permitting processes, coordinate public works to prevent accidental fibre cuts, and create incentives to attract broadband investment.
To deepen collaboration and transparency, the NCC will soon launch two initiatives — the Ease of Doing Business Portal and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI) — to assess and promote state-level digital readiness.
Dr. Maida emphasised that Nigeria’s future prosperity lies in data and connectivity, not natural resources, and called on governments and industry players to work together to build a resilient, inclusive digital economy.
Reporting by Chioma Ezike