Nigeria’s plan to expand its fibre network to 125,000 kilometres is back in focus, as experts prepare to discuss how to get it right at PIAFo 8.0.
The event, scheduled to be held at Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja on April 16, is the 8th edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum centred on the theme, “Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Backbone: Dig Once Policy, Project BRIDGE and Strategies for Effective Fibre Deployment.”
The gathering comes at a time when the Federal Government is pushing its $2 billion Project BRIDGE to stretch Nigeria’s fibre coverage from about 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres by 2030.
Many in the sector say this target cannot be met without fixing how infrastructure projects are handled. Hence, the discussion, which is focused on the Dig-Once approach, means laying fibre ducts at the same time roads, rail lines and other public works are built or repaired.
Stakeholders say this simple step could reduce costs and reduce repeated digging.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission shows operators recorded more than 50,000 fibre cuts in 2024, with over 60% happening during road construction and repairs. Each incident caused service disruption and forced companies to spend heavily on fixes.
In Lagos alone, operators said they spent more than N5 billion last year repairing damaged fibre lines. That money, they argue, could have gone into expanding networks instead.
Again, companies still deal with high Right of Way charges. Road works often happen without coordination. In many cases, roads are dug up repeatedly to lay cables that could have been installed earlier.
Organisers say the forum will bring all sides together. Government agencies, telecom operators, infrastructure firms and state authorities are expected to agree on a common framework and practical steps for rollout.
Omobayo Azeez of Business Metrics Limited believes the stakes are high. He said Nigeria is not fully benefiting from the several undersea cables already connected to its shores because inland fibre remains weak.
“The Project BRIDGE initiative should excite everyone because of ambitious targets. But for those who understand the operating terrain, and why it took the industry over 20 years to achieve around 35,000km of fibre network that the country currently operates for broadband connectivity.
“The project calls for a major shift in execution approach with the adoption of a National Dig-Once Policy as the starting point.
“PIAFo, now in its 8th edition, is again serving as the viable platform for representatives from government ministries and agencies, senior telecom executives, infrastructure companies, data centre operators, equipment manufacturers, state governments, and industry associations to chart the way forward.”
The forum will include keynote speeches, panel sessions and closed-door talks, and with a goal to agree on regulations that can be applied across federal, state and local levels, and set timelines that can be followed.
PIAFo 8.0 is a chance to fix long-standing problems that have slowed Nigeria’s broadband growth for years.
