FG moves to operationalise 112 national emergency number, seeks govs’ backing
Fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) portal has laid bare the uneven spread of digital infrastructure across the country, underscoring the challenges of achieving nationwide broadband penetration.

Checks by The Guardian yesterday showed that Lagos leads the pack with over 11,500 km of fibre optic cables and nearly 8,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), reflecting its role as Nigeria’s commercial hub and digital nerve centre.

By contrast, Bayelsa lagged far behind, with just 656 km of fibre and 436 BTS sites, highlighting the infrastructural neglect in parts of the Niger Delta.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) boasts more than 6,900 km of fibre and 2,800 BTS, reinforcing Abuja’s position as a well-connected administrative capital.

States such as Ebonyi (586 km fibre, 422 BTS) and Zamfara (1,100 km fibre, 362 BTS) remain severely underserved, raising concerns about their ability to participate in Nigeria’s digital economy. Northern states like Yobe (1,526 km fibre, 433 BTS) and Taraba (1,549 km fibre, 673 BTS) also show limited infrastructure, reflecting the broader rural-urban divide.

Analysis of the new data showed that the disparities in fibre deployment and BTS density translate directly into differences in Internet speed, reliability, and affordability. While urban centres enjoy competitive services from multiple operators, rural and less-developed states struggle with poor connectivity, limiting access to education, healthcare, and e-commerce opportunities.

Industry experts argue that Right of Way (RoW) charges and inconsistent state-level policies are major barriers to equitable infrastructure rollout. States that have reduced or eliminated RoW fees, such as Ekiti, have seen faster fibre expansion compared to those maintaining high charges.

According to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, at a recent telecoms forum, where RoW charges are prohibitive, operators simply avoid those states. “It’s a policy choice that directly impacts connectivity.”

The NCC insists that ongoing initiatives, including the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), will help track progress and push states toward greater competitiveness. However, unless lagging states prioritise infrastructure investment, Nigeria risks widening its digital divide.

MEANWHILE, the Federal Government has stepped up efforts to operationalise 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number, directing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to work with state governments and emergency response agencies on a coordinated implementation plan.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with a delegation from the NCC led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe.

The meeting followed the recent approval by the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by the Vice President, adopting 112 as the country’s unified emergency number across all tiers of government and relevant response agencies.

The initiative is aimed at creating a seamless national emergency response system that will enable Nigerians to access police, ambulance, fire and disaster response services through a single emergency number, in line with global best practices.

Shettima directed that a comprehensive implementation roadmap be developed to ensure the successful rollout of the initiative nationwide.

Earlier, Olorunnimbe briefed the Vice President on progress made by the Commission, disclosing that the NCC has established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the country to support the national emergency response system.