NCC Pushes Strategic Partnerships, Skills Development to Fast-Track Nigeria’s Broadband Expansion

Abuja.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has underscored the critical role of strategic collaboration and human capital development in accelerating broadband expansion and driving Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr.Aminu Maida, made this known in a goodwill message at a five-day Strategic Fibre Optics Training Workshop held in Abuja.

Represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, Maida described the workshop,organised by the International Telecommunication Union in collaboration with the Digital Bridge Institute and supported by the European Union,as timely and strategic.

According to him, robust and well-regulated fibre optic infrastructure remains indispensable to achieving meaningful digital transformation.

“As a nation committed to bridging the digital divide and 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,” he said.

Maida disclosed that the Federal Government, through Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth) under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, plans to deploy an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable nationwide.

He noted that the initiative is designed to deepen connectivity and expand digital inclusion across all 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

The NCC boss, however, identified high Right of Way (RoW) charges, bureaucratic bottlenecks at subnational levels, and infrastructure vandalism as key impediments to broadband expansion.

To address these challenges, he said the commission had intensified collaboration with regulatory agencies, state governments and security institutions to ensure seamless deployment and protection of telecom infrastructure.

He revealed that 13 states had already waived RoW charges, following sustained advocacy by the commission, a move he said was attracting increased investment from telecom operators.

Maida further noted that coordinated efforts involving the ministry, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the NCC led to a 2024 presidential directive designating telecommunications assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI), thereby strengthening their protection nationwide.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to capacity building, stressing that a skilled workforce is vital to achieving a fully connected and digitally inclusive Nigeria.

Earlier, the Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation, Inga Stefanowicz, said the EU’s global strategy prioritises investments in digital infrastructure, transport, energy, health and education.

She noted that the approach, already being implemented across African countries, including Nigeria, aims to mobilise financing, expertise and private sector participation to bridge infrastructure gaps.

Stefanowicz cited the EU’s 2022 digital economy package for Nigeria, valued at 820 million euros, including 160 million euros in grants, as a key intervention supporting digital skills development, innovation, and fibre optic expansion.

She urged participants to actively engage in the training and leverage future opportunities to enhance regulatory efficiency, strengthen stakeholder engagement and accelerate broadband rollout.

The workshop is expected to equip participants with practical knowledge and policy tools to support sustainable digital infrastructure development across participating countries.

Edited by Dada Ahmed.