The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has said that access to ‘Right Of Way (ROW) ‘ in various states of the country is one of the most significant barriers to broadband deployment.
It stated that the cost of Right of Way (RoW) fees charged by state governments, despite a resolution by the Nigerian Governors Forum fixing the rate at N145 per linear meter is still high.
Dr Aminu Maida Executive Vice Chairman Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) stated this at the Business Roundtable on Improving investment in Broad Band Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastrurcture held at and connectivity the NCC Digital Economy complex MBORA,
He said recognising this challenge, the Commission intensified advocacy with states to reduce or waive these fees to accelerate broadband rollout. Within the past two years, five additional states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, and Zamfara—have waived RoW fees entirely. “This brings the total number of states offering zero RoW charges to eleven (11), while 17 states have capped it at N145 per metre. Our sustained engagement with state governments, including today’s gathering underscores our commitment to creating an enabling environment for broadband expansion.”
“We are also promoting the “dig-once” coordination with public works to cut avoidable fibre damage and lower civil-works costs by sharing ducts and plans. Our goal is uniform, predictable RoW countrywide, paired with clear permitting SLAs.
- In line with our economic regulatory mandate, earlier this year, the Commission approved the application of tariff rates that are both cost-reflective and competitive within the telecommunications industry. This strategic regulatory intervention has significantly strengthened investor confidence in the Nigerian telecommunications sector. I can confirm to you that operators have made collective commitment to investing over $1 billion in additional rollout investments to expand broadband coverage and capacity nationwide. We will keep monitoring quality, so consumers see the benefit in better service.”
“ The NCC has commissioned a wholesale Fibre Study, which is likely to open up existing backbone, and any built in the future, on comparable, transparent terms so that backbone owners and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can interconnect more easily. This intervention will unlock last-mile expansion and faster backhaul”,he stated
On Transparency & Data, he stated that the Commission is expanding performance disclosures— outage reporting, QoS/QoE maps, and compliance dashboards—to anchor accountability across the value chain. What gets measured gets managed; what is published gets improved.
According to him, despite these significant efforts, some challenges remain.
He said Infrastructure attacks and vandalism continue to pose a challenge. Between January and August 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded 19,384 fibre cut incidents, 3,241 cases of equipment theft, and over 19,000 cases of denials of access to telecom sites.
“Together, these disruptions have caused prolonged outages, revenue losses, increased security costs, and delayed service restoration. They demonstrate why infrastructure protection must be at the centre of our collective agenda.”
“Another persistent challenge facing broadband expansion in Nigeria is the fragmented and unpredictable Right of Way (RoW) regimes across different states, which create delays and cost uncertainties for operators. This problem is compounded by inconsistent enforcement of critical infrastructure protection, weak coordination with road authorities, and the absence of clear construction planning protocols. Beyond these, the sector continues to contend with energy supply volatility, multiple taxation, and cumbersome permitting processes, all of which pose significant headwinds to progress.”
“The Urgency of Now Governors, ministers, colleagues: time is not on our side. The global digital race is accelerating. Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries; outsourcing is shifting to low-cost, high-connectivity environments. If our broadband backbone is weak, our youth will be marginalized, and our economy will likely not achieve its full potential.”
He said despite these significant efforts, some challenges remain.
“Infrastructure attacks and vandalism continue to pose a challenge. Between January and August 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded 19,384 fibre cut incidents, 3,241 cases of equipment theft, and over 19,000 cases of denials of access to telecom sites.
Together, these disruptions have caused prolonged outages, revenue losses, increased security costs, and delayed service restoration. They demonstrate why infrastructure protection must be at the centre of our collective agenda.”
“Another persistent challenge facing broadband expansion in Nigeria is the fragmented and unpredictable Right of Way (RoW) regimes across different states, which create delays and cost uncertainties for operators. This problem is compounded by inconsistent enforcement of critical infrastructure protection, weak coordination with road authorities, and the absence of clear construction planning protocols. Beyond these, the sector continues to contend with energy supply volatility, multiple taxation, and cumbersome permitting processes, all of which pose significant headwinds to progress.”
“The Urgency of Now Governors, ministers, colleagues: time is not on our side. The global digital race is accelerating. Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries; outsourcing is shifting to low-cost, high-connectivity environments. If our broadband backbone is weak, our youth will be marginalized, and our economy will likely not achieve its full potential.”
“In earlier eras, a community without a railway or electricity could still subsist. In today’s world, a community without digital connectivity is invisible. It is cut off from education, markets, access to healthcare, social services, and opportunities.”
