The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has rallied state governments to remove obstacles to deepening broadband infrastructure in the country.
Specifically, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, stressed the importance of a stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments to accelerate broadband deployment, reduce Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks, and safeguard Nigeria’s critical telecom infrastructure.
Speaking at a Business Roundtable Forum with states held at the NCC Digital Economy Complex, Abuja, yesterday, Maida stressed that the country’s digital prosperity would depend on aligning policies across all levels of government to foster investment, connectivity, and inclusion.
The event, themed “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,” brought together governors’ representatives, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss practical ways to harmonize policies that will enable broadband growth nationwide.
Maida highlighted the economic importance of broadband, noting that a ten per cent increase in broadband penetration could drive 1.38 per cent GDP growth in developing economies.
With Nigeria’s broadband penetration standing at 48.81 per cent as of August 2025, the EVC emphasised that achieving the National Broadband Plan target of 70 per cent by 2025 could significantly enhance productivity, innovation, and job creation.
He compared Nigeria’s digital potential to success stories in Rwanda and India, where investments in broadband and digital governance have propelled economic expansion.
Under the Tinubu administration and the leadership of Dr Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NCC has implemented several strategic interventions to strengthen the telecommunications ecosystem.
On RoW, he revealed that 11 states had now waived charges entirely, while 17 others had aligned with the N145 per meter benchmark set by the Nigerian Governors Forum.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s digital economy drive was lifted yesterday as national telecommunications company, Globacom, expressed its strong support for the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Business Roundtable on Broadband Investment and Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure taking place at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Industry experts have described the roundtable as a strategic platform for aligning government and private sector priorities, addressing challenges related to Right of Way (RoW), and enhancing regulatory coordination to meet the nation’s broadband targets, particularly in rural communities.
As deliberations progress, Globacom maintains its position as more than a telecommunications provider standing as a key partner in building a digitally empowered, economically vibrant, and secure Nigeria.
