This was revealed during the inaugural Rural Connectivity Summit organised by Business Metrics, in Lagos, where Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stressed that connectivity is far more than speed, it’s about economic inclusion.

“The accurate measure of connectivity is not in megabits per second, but in the economic value it creates or loses,” said Dr Aminu Maida, whose keynote address was delivered by Tunji Jimoh, Zonal Controller of the NCC Lagos Office.

At the event, themed “Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potential,” he described connectivity as “an indispensable part of life,” noting that when it fails, “opportunities stop, and lives can be at risk.”

Dr Maida noted that despite progress, rural Nigeria is digitally invisible, with internet access still at 23% compared to 57% in urban areas. This gap, he explained, cuts off millions from modern education, markets, healthcare, and financial services, a situation he called “unacceptable and unsustainable.”

Research shows that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can drive 1.38% GDP growth in developing economies. However, Nigeria’s broadband penetration as of August 2025 stood at 48.81%, below its potential. 

While coverage has expanded, with 3G and 4G networks reaching 86.34%, usage and household access remain at 39.2% and 40.1% respectively.

Nigeria’s ICT Development Index (IDI) score also exposes this imbalance. At 52.9, the country ranks 137th out of 164 economies, following far behind the global average of 77.6 and Africa’s 56.1.

To tackle these challenges, Dr Maida outlined NCC’s ongoing initiatives through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). The Fund has financed over 2,500 educational projects and delivered 100,000 computers to schools nationwide.

One unique project is the Emerging Technology Centre at Ogun State Institute of Technology, where more than 9,000 students now have access to digital tools for innovation.

Beyond education, the USPF’s e-Health Project connects rural clinics to larger hospitals for remote consultations, while the e-Accessibility Project provides persons with disabilities with assistive technology. 

To ensure sustainability, the NCC has also launched the Impact Alliance, a partnership network involving private sector players, civil society, and international bodies, to co-invest in inclusive connectivity.

In response to the sabotage of telecom infrastructure, Dr Maida highlighted the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, signed by the President in June 2024, empowering law enforcement to protect telecom assets. 

“Our advocacy has led to 11 states offering zero charges for right-of-way permits,” he said, adding that 70 others have aligned with the national benchmark of ₦145 per linear metre.

The Commission has also been working with mobile network operators, global partners like GSMA and the World Bank, and the Office of the National Security Adviser to safeguard telecom assets and promote affordable broadband deployment.

“We stand at a strategic crossroads. The global digital race is accelerating, and we must act decisively to ensure our youth are creators, not consumers, of digital value,” Dr Maida said.

He urged governors to support right-of-way reforms, operators to speed up rural rollouts, and communities to protect telecom infrastructure. “These assets are their bridge between backwardness and global relevance,” he stated.

With over 45% of Nigeria’s population still living in rural areas, the NCC wants digital inclusion to go beyond policies, it is a national strategy for growth.

That’s the price it demands from telecom companies for laying fibre-optic cables. And in this theatre of the absurd, the state has managed to rank fourth in Nigeria for fibre coverage, with over 4,100 kilometres of cables beneath its soil—but at what cost? Ogun State charges the highest right-of-way fee in the country. For context, Gombe charges ₦500 per metre. That’s 18 times less.

We usually say Nigeria is a federation, but never has the fragmentation of policy been more visible than in the digital space. A document compiled by industry stakeholders in March 2024 reveals how states choose to treat broadband infrastructure. From Lagos to Yobe, it’s a roulette of fees, politics, and misplaced priorities.

Let’s get specific. Lagos, with its over 7,800km of fibre and reputation as the nation’s digital nucleus, charges ₦6,264 per metre. Osun, with 64km laid, somehow believes ₦6,850 is appropriate. Apparently, having little doesn’t mean charging less.

States like Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, and Borno charge moderately, from ₦1,000 to ₦3,000 per metre. They seem to have realised what many others haven’t: infrastructure attracts investment, not the other way round.

In 2013, the National Economic Council proposed a standard right-of-way fee of ₦145 per metre to boost national fibre deployment. It sounded like progress. But like many Nigerian policies, it died in infancy—good on paper, ignored in practice. Today, most states charge whatever they please. Why? Because they can. There’s no law to stop them.

“The ₦0 right-of-way fee is based on executive order, but the ₦145 is law,” said Suleiman Isah, commissioner for Communications and Digital Economy in Niger State. “If the investment we attract in the next year or two outweighs what we made from fees, we’ll amend the law permanently.”

What Niger and a few other states are beginning to understand is that digital investment is a long game. Niger went beyond adopting the ₦145 benchmark, it took a step further—zero fee by executive order. And unlike others, they’ve committed to reviewing their law if it proves beneficial. That’s governance with foresight.

Meanwhile in Ogun…

Ogun State clearly didn’t get the memo pertaining the right-of-way fee. Or worse—it read it, laughed, and shredded it. The state charges more than nine times the NEC recommendation. One wonders if the goal is to build digital infrastructure or to bleed telecom operators dry. 

Ironically, despite laying thousands of kilometres of fibre, broadband reach is still abysmally uneven. Only 39% of Nigerians live within five kilometres of fibre networks, according to recent data. The rest? Digitally stranded.

The problem is bigger than just fees. Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said:

“The era of state governments charging Right-of-Way fees should be over. When states impose these fees, they lose out on the broader benefits of digital infrastructure. Instead of charging right-of-way fees, states should require telecom operators to deliver social impact projects.”

Some states, even after “waiving” fees, sneak in new levies—education taxes, highway fees, building permits. They give with one hand and snatch with the other. What Does Progress Look Like?

Progress isn’t only about kilometres of cable. It’s about who benefits, how far the access spreads, and whether the investment environment makes sense. Delta, Enugu, Ebonyi, and the FCT have embraced the ₦145 model. 

Other states like Anambra and Benue have gone fee-free altogether to stimulate investment beyond the major cities.

In Anambra, fibre isn’t just concentrated in Onitsha and Nnewi anymore. The goal, officials say, is statewide coverage.

“If telcos judged every investment strictly by profit, only commercial zones would get infrastructure,” said Chukwuemeka Fred Akpata, MD of Anambra ICT Agency. “By waiving right-of-way, we’re encouraging deployment in underserved areas.”

Now compare that to Ogun, where the right-of-way fee is mouth-opening. The State charges the highest and still hasn’t cracked equitable access. Maybe it’s time we stopped applauding infrastructure by kilometre count alone.

Numbers Don’t Lie, But They Do Mock

Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 45.61% as of January 2025. That’s promising—but it’s not enough. The GSM Association estimates that standardising right-of-way fees to ₦145 per metre across Nigeria could slash broadband rollout expenses by 15%. That’s not chump change. That’s money that could build infrastructure, hire engineers, reach the rural poor.

Instead, we’re stuck in a loop of states milking telecoms dry while claiming to support digital development. Some are waking up to the bigger picture. Others are doubling down on short-term revenue.

If we truly want to become a digital economy, we have to stop pretending that fees are policy. The path to progress isn’t paved with toll booths. It’s built on access, equity, and smart governance. And right now, only a few Nigerian states seem to understand that.

Until there’s a uniform, enforceable policy, Nigeria’s digital growth will remain a postcode lottery, fast in one state, frozen in the next.

This broadband enhancement project aims to lay an additional 120,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, potentially enhancing internet access and digital services across the nation.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, recognizes the importance of technology in today’s world. 

Minister Bosun Tijani noted the need for “quality access regardless of location,” acknowledging the limitations of the current 3,035 kilometers of fiber optic cables in meeting the demands of Nigerians.

The project envisions a two-phase approach. The first phase, backed by the World Bank, will involve laying 95,000 kilometers of cables. This is expected to deliver immediate improvements in accessibility and digital content availability across the country.

World Bank Regional Director Franz Drees-Gross highlighted the dynamic digital ecosystem in Lagos and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to become a hub for West African digital services. 

He emphasized the need to go beyond infrastructure development, stressing the importance of affordability, device accessibility, relevant content, and digital skills development.

Funding for the project will come from various sources, including the World Bank, other development finance institutions, and the private sector. Minister Tijani is optimistic about securing the required funds within the next two to three years.

This joint effort is a way forward in achieving the Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, which aims for 70% broadband penetration by 2025. The project will improve internet access and digital services for individuals and also bring about a stable digital economy, potentially creating new businesses, employment opportunities, and avenues for growth across various sectors.

The success of this initiative hinges on addressing Drees-Gross’s mentioned concerns – affordability, device access, relevant content, and digital skills development. Alongside infrastructure expansion, these aspects will be important in ensuring the project truly delivers on its promise of “Broadband for All.”

Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed this during his presentation on “Realizing the New Set Target of 70% Broadband Penetration”; at ATCON National Strategic Mobilization for the Actualization of National Broadband target of 70% Conference & Exhibition held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the discussions with the company (name not mentioned), was part of efforts to drive Digital Economy development in Nigeria through broadband infrastructure deployment.

Danbatta also stated that seven (7) Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) have been licensed by the Commission, on a regional basis, to spear head the implementation of the National Communication Backbone (NCB).

“The Commission convened a Broadband Infrastructure stakeholders forum that identified the challenges impeding the speed deployment of the infrastructure.

“A joint Committee of all Stakeholders in the Broadband Infrastructure Ecosystem is due to be inaugurated in a few weeks.

“The Commission has opened communications with the European that is offering Grants and Loans to support Broadband Infrastructure deployment as part of Digital Economy development in Nigeria.

“The NCC has completed and published Spectrum Trading Guidelines to enforce the USE-IT OR LOSE-IT policy provision, as contained in the General conditions for Spectrum License, to  further facilitate the attainment of the 70% Broadband penetration through mobile network services”.

He also told participants that NCC is in the process of introducing a license framework for the

establishment of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria.

“This will also lead to the massive penetration of Broadband services into the unserved and underserved areas of the country.

“The Commission has issued 5G spectrum licenses to two successful bidders (MTN Nigeria Limited and Mafab Communications Ltd). This again will contribute to a massive leap in Broadband penetration in the country.

The EVC further saif that the Commission is in the process of convening a Technical Awareness workshop for State Governors.

“The workshop is aimed at sensitizing the State Chief Executive on the need for them to support the Critical National Infrastructure that generate a chunk of the funds shared as Federation Account among all tiers of Government.

“The Commission has signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the use of TV White Space (TVWS) spectrum for extension of broadband connectivity and services to rural unserved and underserved communities. This is another initiative that will lead to a mafor boast in Broadband Penetration.