NCC, industry push new rules as fibre bottlenecks threaten broadband targets

Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator and industry stakeholders are moving toward a fresh regulatory approach for fibre broadband deployment as mounting infrastructure challenges threaten the country’s broadband expansion goals and wider digital economy ambitions.

The move gained momentum after Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), confirmed he would deliver the keynote address at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria’s (ATCON) Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) deployment scheduled for June 30 in Lagos.

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The forum comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to deepen broadband penetration and extend high-speed internet access to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and other critical institutions. Industry leaders say the next phase of Nigeria’s digital transformation will depend less on mobile network expansion and more on the ability to build extensive fibre infrastructure across the country.

FTTH technology is regarded globally as the gold standard for fixed broadband because it delivers high-capacity internet connectivity directly to end users. However, operators in Nigeria continue to face significant barriers that have slowed investment and network expansion.

Among the major obstacles identified by industry stakeholders are multiple taxation, high right-of-way charges, delays in obtaining approvals, infrastructure vandalism, fibre cuts, inconsistent policies across states and local government areas, as well as the high cost of deploying and maintaining fibre networks.

Industry executives argue that while demand for high-speed internet continues to grow, the economics of fibre deployment remain challenging, particularly in underserved and less commercially attractive areas.

The June forum is expected to serve as a platform for regulators, state governments, operators, investors, infrastructure providers and development partners to discuss practical solutions capable of accelerating deployment and improving the sustainability of broadband investments.

Key discussions will focus on regulatory reforms, infrastructure protection, technical standards, financing models, infrastructure sharing frameworks, consumer protection and strategies for increasing state government participation in broadband projects.

The significance of the discussions extends beyond the telecommunications sector. Industry experts increasingly view fibre infrastructure as the foundation upon which digital services, smart cities, e-commerce, fintech innovation, remote work, digital education and modern healthcare systems are built.

ATCON noted that expanding fibre networks has become a national economic priority rather than a purely telecommunications issue. According to the association, stronger fibre infrastructure could help attract investment, create jobs, improve productivity and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

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The association believes achieving meaningful broadband penetration targets will require coordinated action among regulators, operators, investors and governments at all levels.

Analysts say Maida’s participation signals growing regulatory recognition that broadband challenges can no longer be solved solely through policy declarations. Instead, the focus is increasingly shifting toward removing structural barriers that discourage long-term infrastructure investment.

The expected outcome of the forum is a set of actionable recommendations aimed at removing deployment bottlenecks, strengthening technical standards, improving investor confidence and accelerating broadband access nationwide.

For Nigeria, where millions remain without reliable high-speed internet access despite years of telecommunications growth, the discussions could help determine whether the country can successfully transition from a mobile-first digital economy to one supported by extensive fibre infrastructure capable of meeting future data demands.

As data consumption, cloud services, artificial intelligence applications and digital commerce continue to expand, industry stakeholders warn that resolving fibre deployment challenges may become one of the most important factors shaping Nigeria’s digital future over the next decade.