Though there have been activities around fibre optics deployment in Nigeria, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure deployment is still urban-centric, with a concentration on major cities like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
 
While a few other hubs are seeing deeper fibre rollout, rural or underserved areas are still challenged, mainly because of the cost implications and the slower return on investment.

This was revealed by FibreOne, an ISP and a major player in that space.
  
Speaking with The Guardian, the Head, Regulatory and Public Relations Manager, FibreOne, Kehinde Joda, who disclosed this, noted FTTH investments are huge and run into billions of naira cumulatively for serious players.
 
Joda said it’s not just about laying fibre, “but it’s powering and maintaining it, safeguarding the infrastructure, and ensuring quality of service. At FibreOne, we have remained committed to making these investments in phases so we can deliver reliable connectivity where it matters most.”
 
He revealed that FTTH is one of the fastest-growing segments because more households are demanding reliable, high-speed Internet for remote work, online learning, streaming and smart home needs.
 
Speaking also with The Guardian, a telecom expert, Kehinde Aluko, admitted that deploying FTTH networks is a capital-intensive endeavour, involving significant costs for trenching, laying cables, and acquiring core equipment.

Aluko said this remains a major barrier, especially for smaller ISPs and in underserved areas.
 
According to him, while some progress has been made on RoW, obtaining permits and navigating logistical hurdles for trenching and pole attachments can still be time-consuming and costly.
 
“Fibre optic deployment requires a skilled workforce for splicing, installation, and configuration. A lack of trained personnel can lead to delays and inconsistent service quality. Urban areas present challenges like limited space and high user density, while rural regions face issues of long-distance distribution and harsh environments,” he stated.

Speaking on opportunities for FTTH, Aluko noted that with a population exceeding 220 million and significant gaps in Internet penetration, Nigeria presents a vast consumer base for FTTH operators, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
 
According to him, increased connectivity is directly linked to economic growth. He said a 10 per cent improvement in broadband quality can lead to a 1.35 per cent increase in GDP, making FTTH a critical enabler for national development across various sectors like agriculture, healthcare and education.
 
Aluko observed that while 5G offers wireless broadband, it also relies on robust fibre backhaul for its full potential, saying this can create a synergistic relationship where FTTH deployments support and enhance 5G services.