The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated the importance of strategic partnerships and skilled manpower in accelerating broadband growth and digital transformation across the country.
Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr Aminu Maida, who stated this in a message delivered at a Strategic Fibre Optics Training Workshop in Abuja, said that a well-regulated and resilient fibre infrastructure remains the backbone of any meaningful digital transformation agenda.
Maida, who was represented by Abraham Oshadamithat the workshop with the theme; “Strategic Fibre Optics Infrastructure Deployment and Regulatory Management”, comes at a critical time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to bridge the digital divide.
He said; “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”.
Maida also said that the Federal Government, through Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth) under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, plans to deploy an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable nationwide.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at expanding connectivity across the 774 Local Government Areas, thereby deepening digital inclusion.
Maida said that despite the ambitious rollout plan, there are identified key challenges including high Right of Way (RoW) charges, bureaucratic delays at subnational levels, and infrastructure vandalism.
The NCC EVC said that the commission is addressing the issues through sustained collaboration with regulatory bodies, state governments, and security agencies.
Maida further said that 13 states have already waived the RoW charges following NCC’s advocacy, a move he noted is attracting increased investment from telecom operators.
The NCC boss referenced a 2024 presidential directive that was coordinated with the Office of the National Security Adviser that designated telecommunications assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI) to enhance their protection.
Maida emphasised that collaboration and human capital development remain central to the Commission’s regulatory strategy.
He expressed optimism that the five-day training workshop organised by the International Telecommunication Union in partnership with the Digital Bridge Institute and supported by the European Union, will strengthen regulatory efficiency and accelerate fibre deployment nationwide.
Speaking in turn, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation, said the EU’s global strategy prioritises investments in digital infrastructure, energy, transport, healthcare, and education across Africa.
Stefanowicz noted that the EU’s Digital Economy Package for Nigeria that was launched in 2022, has committed €820 million including €160 million in grants towards digital skills development, innovation hubs, and public digital infrastructure with a strong emphasis on fibre expansion.
