NCC seeks stronger state partnerships to deliver 90,000km fibre rollout nationwide

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated the need for stronger collaboration with state governments and key stakeholders as it intensifies efforts to expand Nigeria’s fibre optic network by an additional 90,000 kilometres nationwide.

Speaking at the Strategic Fibre Optics Training Workshop in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deploying the extensive fibre infrastructure under Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth).

The initiative is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

Maida explained that the project is designed to extend connectivity to all 774 local government areas across the country, deepen digital inclusion, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.

Despite the ambitious scope of the rollout, he identified significant obstacles, including high Right of Way (RoW) charges, bureaucratic bottlenecks at subnational levels, and persistent infrastructure vandalism. According to him, the Commission is addressing these challenges through sustained engagement with regulatory authorities, state governments, and security agencies.

The NCC chief, who was represented at the event by Abraham Oshadami, stressed that resilient and well-regulated fibre infrastructure forms the backbone of sustainable digital transformation.

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“As a nation committed to accelerating broadband penetration, we recognise that strategic fibre deployment is a catalyst for economic growth, financial inclusion, education, healthcare, agriculture, and efficient public service delivery,” he said.

Maida disclosed that 13 states have already waived RoW charges following advocacy by the Commission, a development he said is encouraging greater investment from telecommunications operators.

He also referenced a 2024 presidential directive, coordinated with the Office of the National Security Adviser, which designated telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI) to enhance its protection against vandalism and sabotage.

He further emphasised that collaboration and human capital development remain central to the NCC’s regulatory strategy. The five-day workshop, organised by the International Telecommunication Union in partnership with the Digital Bridge Institute and supported by the European Union, is expected to strengthen regulatory capacity and accelerate fibre deployment nationwide.

In her remarks, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation, stated that the EU’s global strategy prioritises investments in digital infrastructure, energy, transport, healthcare, and education across Africa.

She noted that the EU’s Digital Economy Package for Nigeria, launched in 2022, has committed €820 million — including €160 million in grants — to support digital skills development, innovation hubs, and public digital infrastructure, with particular focus on fibre expansion.

Stefanowicz stressed that the initiative aims to mobilise private sector investment to complement public funding, noting that government resources alone are insufficient to meet Africa’s vast infrastructure requirements.

She encouraged participants at the workshop to maximise the training and foster long-term partnerships, underscoring the critical role of robust digital infrastructure in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.