Nigeria’s leading ICT operators, including ipNX, joined stakeholders across the telecommunications ecosystem at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) to push for stronger collaboration and practical solutions to Nigeria’s broadband challenges.

The forum, themed: ‘Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment’, convened in Lagos, brought together government agencies, regulators, operators, infrastructure providers, industry associations and the media.

Delivering the keynote virtually, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, described FTTH as a “critical enabler of Nigeria’s digital future”. He stressed that broadband quality would determine Nigeria’s competitiveness, digital industry growth, and citizen opportunities, while warning against fibre vandalism and poor deployment practices.

ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, emphasised FTTH’s role in achieving Nigeria’s broadband penetration targets and urged communities to protect fibre infrastructure with the same vigilance given to power assets.

State-level leaders also shared success stories. Director-General of Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency (OYSIMCA), Adebayo Akande, outlined measures to curb fibre theft and promote shared infrastructure. Managing Director of Edo State ICT Agency, Eghosa Urhoghide, called for stronger collaboration among operators, regulators, and host communities, stressing adherence to NCC standards.

Representing ipNX, Deputy Director, Strategic Business Initiatives, Segun Okuneye, underscored the need for policy consistency, stakeholder alignment, and shared responsibility. “Universal fibre connectivity requires more than infrastructure. It demands sustained collaboration. At ipNX, we remain committed to building resilient digital infrastructure that will support Nigeria’s economic growth for generations to come,” he said.

Participants agreed that while progress has been made, recurring issues such as fibre vandalism, right-of-way challenges, inconsistent deployment, duplication, and limited public awareness require coordinated industry action.

The forum concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen standards, encourage infrastructure sharing, improve policy implementation, and promote public appreciation of telecommunications infrastructure as critical national assets. For ipNX and other operators, the event reinforced their dedication to accelerating Nigeria’s journey toward a more connected and digitally inclusive future.