Nigeria’s telecom regulator is calling for a rapid nationwide rollout of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) infrastructure, warning that the country’s long-term digital economy and US$1 trillion economic ambition could stall without major broadband investment.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says fixed fibre connectivity remains critically underdeveloped despite rising demand from cloud computing, artificial intelligence, streaming services and digital businesses.
Speaking at an industry forum in Lagos, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida said the country’s broadband gap represents both a constraint and an opportunity for growth. He stressed that fibre infrastructure is essential for speed, reliability and scalability in the digital economy.
Current data shows Nigeria has just 265,000 active FTTH subscriptions, a penetration rate below Africa’s average of 2.5 per cent and far behind more developed broadband markets, where fibre penetration can exceed 40 per cent.
The regulator argues that the low base underscores the scale of investment required rather than reflecting limited demand.
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The push comes from the Nigerian Communications Commission, which says stronger fibre networks are essential to boost productivity, attract investment and improve access to digital services across the country.
To accelerate deployment, the commission is launching a Wholesale Fixed Broadband Market Assessment to review competition in the sector and encourage infrastructure sharing and open-access models, aimed at lowering costs for consumers and operators.
A key obstacle, according to the regulator, is inconsistent Right of Way (RoW) policy across states. High fees, slow approval processes and overlapping permit requirements continue to delay fibre rollout and increase deployment costs.
So far, 13 states have waived RoW fees entirely, while 16 others have adopted the national benchmark rate of 145 naira per linear metre. The NCC is now urging remaining states to align with the standard to unlock faster broadband expansion.
The commission has also introduced an Ease of Doing Business Portal to improve transparency, providing data on RoW charges, approval processes, infrastructure maps and regulatory guidelines across the country.
It is also urging property developers and urban planners to integrate fibre infrastructure into new buildings from the design stage, alongside utilities such as electricity and water, to reduce future deployment costs.
While pushing for speed, the regulator says quality standards must remain strict to prevent network failures and long-term maintenance issues caused by poor installations or substandard materials.
Nigeria’s digital transformation strategy is increasingly tied to broadband expansion as policymakers look to position the country as a major technology and services hub in West Africa, but officials acknowledge that progress will depend heavily on coordinated federal and state-level reforms.
