ipNX, a Nigerian ICT company, has called for stronger policy enforcement across government and industry to address the persistent challenges affecting fibre infrastructure deployment.
The company’s position on the matter is following key discussions at the 8th Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) National Dig-Once Event held in Lagos, recently.
The forum, themed “Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Backbone: Dig-Once Policy, Project BRIDGE and Strategies for Effective Fibre Deployment,” brought together industry stakeholders to address inefficiencies in broadband rollout and the growing rate of network disruptions across the country.
In his keynote address on the day, President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, reinforced the need for improved execution of existing policies.
“We have strong policies in place, but execution remains our biggest challenge. The dig-once framework presents a clear opportunity to reduce inefficiencies, minimise service disruptions, and optimise infrastructure investment across the sector,” he said.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Olusola Teniola, director, Strategic Business Initiatives, ipNX, emphasized the importance of aligning infrastructure development with Nigeria’s digital ambitions.
“The future of Nigeria’s digital economy depends on how efficiently we deploy and protect our fibre infrastructure. A coordinated dig-once approach is not just a cost-saving mechanism; it is a strategic imperative that ensures resilience, scalability, and sustainability of our networks. At ipNX, we believe that collaboration between public and private stakeholders is critical to unlocking the full value of broadband connectivity across the country” he said.
A major highlight of the discussions was the revelation that road construction accounts for approximately 60 per cent of telecom network outages in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated “dig-once” approach.
The policy advocates the installation of fibre ducts during road construction or rehabilitation, enabling multiple operators to deploy infrastructure without repeated excavation.
On the first panel session, “Who Digs, Who Deploys, Who Protects: Developing the Ultimate Framework for Aligning Roles in Sustainable Fibre Expansion” deputy director, Strategic Business Initiatives, ipNX, Segun Okuneye, highlighted the shared responsibility required to safeguard critical telecom infrastructure.
“Protecting fibre infrastructure must be a collective effort involving government, operators, and local communities. While regulatory frameworks such as the Critical National Information Infrastructure designation are steps in the right direction, enforcement and awareness remain key to reducing the frequency of fibre cuts and ensuring service continuity for millions of Nigerians,” he noted.
Stakeholders at the forum collectively identified several critical issues and recommendations for improving fibre deployment in Nigeria, including, the adoption of shared infrastructure models to reduce duplication and unnecessary road excavation and leveraging emerging technologies, including real-time fibre monitoring systems, to improve fault detection and response times
The discussions also highlighted the gap between Nigeria’s existing broadband capacity and actual utilisation, with significant infrastructure still under-leveraged due to distribution and access challenges.
ipNX reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance connectivity, drive digital inclusion, and enable sustainable infrastructure development. As a pioneer in Nigeria’s broadband FTTH ecosystem, the company continues to advocate for policies and partnerships that will strengthen the nation’s digital backbone and unlock new opportunities across sectors.
