Nigeria’s Broadband Expansion Gains Momentum
Nigeria’s efforts to expand broadband infrastructure have seen significant progress as 11 states eliminated fees for Right-of-Way (RoW) access for fibre-optic deployment. This move, announced by the telecoms regulator, is expected to accelerate digital infrastructure projects across the country. RoW fees are charges imposed by state governments on telecom operators for laying fibre cables along roads and public land. These fees have been a major obstacle to broadband expansion in Africa’s most populous nation, where internet penetration remains below global averages.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, emphasized that removing these fees is a critical step toward reducing deployment costs and enhancing connectivity. However, some states continue to impose these charges, resulting in a fragmented regulatory environment that hinders investment. Industry experts argue that this inconsistency slows down the pace of broadband development.
“One of the most significant barriers to broadband deployment in Nigeria has been the high RoW fees charged by state governments, despite a resolution by the Nigerian Governors Forum fixing the rate at N145 per linear metre,” Maida stated in a recent statement. He highlighted that the NCC has been actively advocating with states to reduce or waive these fees to speed up broadband rollout. Over the past two years, five additional states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, and Zamfara—have completely waived RoW fees. This brings the total number of states offering zero RoW charges to 11, while 17 states have capped the fee at N145 per metre.
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria is working toward achieving the targets outlined in the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025). The plan aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025 and deploy 90,000 kilometers of fibre-optic backbone infrastructure nationwide.
Maida explained that a uniform and predictable RoW regime is essential for Nigeria’s broadband investment climate. He pointed out that inconsistent enforcement, weak coordination with road authorities, and the absence of clear planning protocols continue to cause delays and cost uncertainties for telecom operators.
Beyond RoW, the NCC boss identified other persistent challenges, including multiple taxation, energy supply volatility, cumbersome permitting processes, and widespread vandalism of telecom infrastructure. According to Maida, between January and August 2025, Nigeria recorded 19,384 fibre cut incidents, 3,241 cases of equipment theft, and more than 19,000 cases of access denial to telecom sites. These disruptions have led to prolonged outages, revenue losses, increased security costs, and delayed service restoration. Maida stressed that infrastructure protection must be a central focus of collective efforts.
He warned that governors and state leaders must act decisively or risk leaving their economies behind. “Every governor and state represented in this room holds a strategic lever. Waiving RoW charges, protecting telecom infrastructure, and proactively supporting fibre deployment are decisions that can determine the prosperity or stagnation of your states,” he said.
The NCC also announced plans to launch two strategic tools to enhance accountability and investment. These include the Ease of Doing Business Portal, a one-stop shop providing information and links to the 36 states and the FCT, and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index, an annual framework to measure and publish each state’s digital readiness and competitiveness.
“In the 21st century, prosperity now lies in data, connectivity, and human potential. Pipelines of oil are giving way to pipelines of fibre,” Maida said. “Factories are being redefined by how many tech entrepreneurs we nurture, not how many smokestacks we build.”
Nigeria has set a target to expand broadband penetration and deepen access to digital services as part of its digital economy strategy. However, progress has often been hindered by uneven state policies and regulatory bottlenecks. The NCC has been engaging with governors through forums and bilateral meetings to secure commitments on RoW and infrastructure protection.
Maida urged stakeholders to treat broadband expansion as a shared responsibility involving government, operators, security agencies, and development partners. “The digital revolution does not wait. Let us align, invest, and protect for the prosperity of our people and the future of our nation. Will we align, or be left behind?” he asked.
