NCC and NSCDC stressed that fibre optic cables are critical national assets that power Nigeria’s digital economy, enable seamless communication, support emergency services, connect businesses, and facilitate government operations.

They said their destruction, whether through negligence, lack of coordination, or wilful actions, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and public safety.

According to the organisations,

“Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorized digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence.”

They warned that individuals, construction companies, or government contractors who damage fibre optic infrastructure would be made to face prosecution and applicable sanctions as provided under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

The NCC and NSCDC therefore issue a categorical warning that “future damage to fibre optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction, or any civil engineering activity conducted without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators will attract strict legal consequences.”

They called on federal, state and local government agencies; road construction companies; utility service providers; and private developers to ensure full compliance by conducting pre‑construction verification of fibre routes; collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators and NSCDC before and during construction; adhering to approved guidelines for excavation and right‑of‑way management; and reporting any accidental damage immediately to enable rapid response and mitigation.

The public is encouraged to report any act of fibre-optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC Office or email to protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng or call 622 toll-free.

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.

Speaking at the Africa Tech Conference, Murito emphasised that fibre should be designated as critical infrastructure, which would enhance legal protections for both terrestrial and subsea cables supporting Africa’s expanding digital sector.

The rise in vandalism targeting fibre networks, driven largely by criminal groups seeking valuable components like batteries and generators at telecom sites, has created huge obstacles for network providers. 

This disruption doesn’t just result in costly repairs but also threatens the reliability of internet connectivity across Africa. 

Murito explained that critical infrastructure status could mean more severe penalties for deliberate damage, a measure aimed at deterring such criminal activities.

In addition to enhancing protections, Murito highlighted Google’s ongoing investment in Africa’s connectivity infrastructure. 

With projects like the Equiano subsea cable linking Africa to Europe and the newly announced Umoja cable, a direct connection between Africa and Australia, Google seeks to improve internet access and data flow across the continent. 

These large-scale infrastructure developments are part of Google’s strategies for supporting Africa’s digital economy.

Industry leaders and telecom operators at the conference stressed that increased security for fibre infrastructure would be an encouraging sign for investors. 

Stronger legal protections could help draw more international businesses and reduce the risks currently associated with telecommunications investments in Africa.

Murito also noted the need for cross-border policy alignment in fibre optic deployment, suggesting that shared infrastructure among internet service providers (ISPs) could lead to lower data costs and enhanced access for consumers. 

A uniform regulatory approach, he argued, would simplify the operational space for telecom companies, removing one of the barriers currently hindering network expansion efforts.

Despite the huge prospects of mobile internet for African economies, penetration remains low, with only 27% of the continent’s population accessing mobile internet last year. 

One challenge is the varied regulatory environment that companies face when installing and managing infrastructure. Murito called on African governments to simplify these processes, making it easier for companies to expand their networks and reach more underserved communities.

This push for harmonisation in tech policy and infrastructure investment aligns with Google’s initiatives to facilitate digital development across Africa. 

In Nigeria, for instance, Google’s services, including Search, Ads, and YouTube, contributed an estimated $1.8 billion to the economy in 2023. Initiatives such as the Digital Skills for Africa programme and the Career Certificates initiative have also groomed over 1.5 million young Nigerians with critical digital skills.

The arrival of Google’s Equiano cable in Lagos in 2022 symbolises another significant step toward advancing Nigeria’s digital economy. 

Named after Olaudah Equiano, a Nigerian abolitionist and writer, this subsea cable is part of Google’s steps to enhance broadband quality across West Africa. 

By 2025, it is expected to improve internet speeds and reliability, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in Africa’s digital future.

This initiative comes in light of the increasing competition from Starlink, the satellite internet service that has rapidly gained traction since its entry into the Kenyan market last year.

Effective immediately, Safaricom has increased the speed of its existing fibre plans. The 10 Mbps package now offers speeds of 15 Mbps for KES 3,000 (approximately $23), while the 20 Mbps plan has been elevated to 30 Mbps. 

Customers on the 40 Mbps tier will now enjoy doubled speeds of 80 Mbps, and the 100 Mbps package has seen a dramatic increase to 500 Mbps, available for KES 12,500 ($97). Notably, Safaricom has also launched a gigabit internet service, providing speeds of 1 Gbps for KES 20,000 ($155), marking a significant milestone for internet service provision in the region.

Additionally, the company has introduced a family share plan, allowing customers to bundle mobile voice, SMS, data, and home internet services for up to five family members. This plan offers discounts of up to 20% compared to purchasing services separately, built for the growing demand for comprehensive connectivity solutions.

CEO Peter Ndegwa noted the company’s focus on enhancing customer experience: “We have enhanced our Home Internet speeds to meet the increasing demand and usage, providing reliable connectivity and enhanced value for our customers.” Safaricom is also set to engage in community initiatives, including estate clinics aimed at boosting service availability in congested areas, and will explore 4G and 5G options for regions lacking fibre infrastructure.

For businesses, Safaricom has tailored dedicated internet plans, starting with a shared 15 Mbps option for smaller enterprises, scaling up to a 100 Mbps shared plan for more established businesses.

These enhancements reveal a direct response to Starlink’s market presence, which has reportedly signed up over 4,000 customers since its launch in June 2023. Starlink offers competitive speeds of up to 200 Mbps at KES 6,500 ($50) and has introduced flexible payment options, including a rental scheme for its equipment.

Safaricom recently sought regulatory intervention from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to restrict the operations of foreign satellite internet providers, including Starlink. The CA has acknowledged Safaricom’s objections, which may impact the dynamics of the broadband market in Kenya as competition intensifies. 

FG’s Fibre Forward Strategic Development Project, a Digital Lifeline or Potential Monopoly?

According to them, without addressing the current issue of Right of Way charges, multiple taxation, and levies, which are under the control of state governments, the project which is to be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be an exercise in futility.

The stakeholders, who spoke during the Sixth Edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) in Lagos on Wednesday, which was a focus on Nigeria’s renewed strategic agenda for digital economy.

They stressed the need to ensure the successful implementation of the project which was announced recently by the Federal Government to complement existing connectivity for universal access to the internet across Nigeria and provide the Nigerian digital economy with the backbone infrastructure it needed.

Addressing the obstacles 

Presenting a paper on the topic, ‘Harmonizing Nigeria’s Fibre Deployment Strategies for Effective Implementation’, Mr. Chidi Ibisi,  executive director of Broadbased Communications, said while the government’s SPV initiative is a good plan that could help the country bridge its current digital infrastructure gap, the government would need to address current challenges.

“The issues of high cost of Right of Way (RoW), destruction of fiber by road construction companies and vandals all need to be addressed for this new SPV initiative to be successful,” he said.

Highlighting some of the challenges telecom operators face when deploying infrastructure, the Group Chief Operating Officer of WTES Projects Limited, Mr. Chidi Ajuzie, said the biggest challenge to fibre cable laying in Nigeria is the informal RoW by hoodlums in states.

“For states, a formal right of way is set and some states are adopting it but the informal side of the right of way is where the complexity has come today.

“If I’m trying to lay fibre in some communities here in Lagos, the first thing that happens is the so-called land owners (omo onile) come out and a different set of people will keep coming from one street to another and they charge you. How do we achieve adequate broadband infrastructure in this kind of situation?” he said.

Role of state governments 

According to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, for the 90,000 kilometres fibre project to succeed, the state governments have to take ownership.

“For the project to succeed, I think the governments at sub-nationals should take ownership. This issue of state governments seeing right of way as IGR should be a thing of the past. We can’t talk about the digital economy on one side and the government is seeing those who provide the services as sources of revenue.

“The government has always come up with good policies, but the implantation, particularly when they are tested far afield, is the biggest problem. Governors will go to Abuja and say ‘in my state, I will give the right of way free of charge.’

“When you go to such a state, they may give you the right of way for zero or one Naira, but they will give you developmental levy, education levy, state impact levy, ecosystem levy. When you add all of these together, it is more than the right of way charges. So, who is playing who?” he said.

Making vital contributions at the forum, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, the chief executive officer of Open Access Data Centre (OADC) stressed the need for the fibre project to be executed by the private sector even as the World Bank is expected to fund it with up to $3 billion.

He said:

“The World Bank can put money into the government but it needs private sector partnerships as the execution engine and that’s what we’ve been pushing in Africa.

“The key thing is that when the World Bank puts the money in, it should engage the private sector, figure out the policies that it needs to do and enable the private sector to execute them effectively and make it as open as possible. With that, they can achieve what they are trying to achieve.”

He further stressed that for the success of the project, Nigeria should learn lessons of what didn’t work in the past, to achieve the new broadband penetration targets with the fibre range that is required.

“Meaningful broadband is what we need, rather than just a huge set of megabits per second implementation. We need superhighway fibres. We need the distribution of these backbone that allows us then to fan out.”

He further urged state governors to be part of the project by providing an enabling environment for infrastructure roll-out, adding: “if you are a state governor and didn’t participate in it, the state won’t grow and it’s going to impact your state.”

Earlier in his opening address, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, the convener of PIAFo, said the conference was to create a midpoint dialogue platform for digital economy stakeholders across both the public and private divides to brainstorm, exchange perspectives, clear grey areas, harmonize thoughts and create a sense of collective responsibility towards accelerating our collective prosperity through technical efficiency.

The event focused on Nigeria’s renewed strategic agenda for digital economy.

According to him, the new digital economy blueprint of the federal government does not only sustain existing policy directions and targets, “it also challenges us on the possibilities of attaining new frontiers with a view to “Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency” which is the theme of the summit.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, disclosed this on Tuesday while announcing the kickoff of Nigeria Week in Washington, United States.

Techeconomy had reported that the Federal Executive Council meeting approved the launch of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will support the deployment of an additional 90,000km of fibre optic cable across the country.

 The project aims to increase Nigeria’s fibre optic cable capacity from 35,000 km to 125,000 km, making it Africa’s third-longest terrestrial fibre optic backbone behind South Africa and Egypt.

In its October 12, 2022 story, Techeconomy reported that Nigeria needs 120,000 additional kilometres of fibre optic cables to meet the New National Broadband Plan 2025 target.

Not only that, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) suggests that the country needs massive investments in about 40,000 additional Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to ensure the plan does not become a mirage.

On assumption of office last year, Dr. Tijani has continued to advocate for increased broadband penetration in the country.

“A great kickoff for Nigeria Week today at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.

“Excellent discussions with the World Bank Global Digital Development team on our digital economy agenda, particularly our plans to build out a 90,000 km fibre optic network,” the minister stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Before the minister traveled to Washington for Nigerian Week, he engaged with the representatives of the World Bank in a virtual meeting last week to discuss priority areas on digital trade for Nigeria, preliminary findings and insights from the Digital Trade Policy Gap Analysis.

Beyond aiming for improved broadband penetration in the country, which is still less than 50 per cent, the minister has also developed an artificial intelligence roadmap after assembling about 120 researchers last month.