NCC Pushes Nationwide Fiber Rollout to Power Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called for a rapid nationwide fiber rollout to support the country’s digital economy, warning that the ambition of building a $1 trillion economy will remain out of reach without significant investment in fixed broadband infrastructure.
Speaking on Nigeria’s broadband future, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida said the country’s fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network is not expanding fast enough to meet rising demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, streaming services, and digital businesses.
Nigeria’s Fiber Rollout Lags Behind Broadband Demand
According to the NCC, Nigeria currently has only 265,000 active FTTH subscriptions, resulting in a penetration rate below Africa’s average of 2.5% and far behind the approximately 47% achieved in more mature broadband markets.
Rather than viewing these figures as discouraging, Maida described them as evidence of Nigeria’s enormous growth potential.
“This low base should not discourage us; it should help us focus. It reveals the sheer scale of opportunity and reinforces the urgent need to create the right conditions for fiber to expand faster, more sustainably and far more widely.”
He noted that modern digital services increasingly require reliable, high-capacity fiber networks capable of supporting future technological advances.
Fiber Infrastructure Will Power Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Maida explained that expanding fiber infrastructure will strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by improving connectivity for businesses, supporting AI-driven applications, enabling cloud computing, and attracting investment.
He added that broader fiber deployment will:
Improve business productivity
Expand access to digital services
Enhance economic competitiveness
Support innovation and digital transformation
Attract local and foreign investment
NCC Plans Wholesale Broadband Market Assessment
To encourage greater investment in fiber infrastructure, the NCC announced plans to conduct a Wholesale Fixed Broadband Market Assessment.
The assessment will evaluate competition within Nigeria’s broadband market while promoting:
Infrastructure sharing
Open-access broadband frameworks
Lower broadband deployment costs
More affordable internet services
The Commission believes these measures will accelerate nationwide broadband expansion while improving service quality.
Right of Way Remains a Major Barrier to Fiber Rollout
Despite regulatory reforms, the NCC identified Right of Way (RoW) approvals as one of the biggest obstacles slowing fiber deployment across Nigeria.
High approval costs, multiple permits, and lengthy administrative processes continue to increase infrastructure costs and delay network expansion.
According to the Commission:
13 states have eliminated RoW charges completely.
16 states now charge the National Economic Council’s recommended ₦145 per linear metre.
The NCC will continue engaging the remaining states to adopt more investment-friendly policies.
NCC Launches Ease of Doing Business Portal
To improve transparency for investors and network operators, the Commission introduced a new Ease of Doing Business Portal.
The platform provides:
State-by-state Right of Way charges
Infrastructure maps
Regulatory requirements
Approval procedures
The initiative is expected to simplify broadband deployment planning and reduce investment uncertainty.
Property Developers Urged to Include Fiber Infrastructure
The NCC also encouraged property developers and urban planners to integrate telecommunications infrastructure during the construction phase of new housing estates and commercial developments.
According to Maida, installing fiber infrastructure alongside electricity, water, and drainage systems significantly lowers deployment costs and allows faster broadband activation.
“Just as new developments provide for electricity, water, and drainage, they must also provide for telecommunications.”
Deployment Quality Must Match Speed
While calling for faster fiber rollout, the NCC stressed that deployment quality cannot be compromised.
The Commission warned that poor installation practices, substandard materials, and inadequate documentation could lead to network failures, service interruptions, and higher maintenance costs.
Maida concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure must be built for long-term resilience.
“Our priority is not simply that fiber is deployed quickly, but that it is built to last, and capable of carrying Nigeria’s digital aspirations for decades to come.”
