Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital connectivity and securing critical infrastructure with the successful hosting of the Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Information Infrastructure.
The high-level event brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector, and the telecommunications industry to deliberate on the theme, “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure: The Road to Success in Broadband Investment.” Discussions centered on practical strategies to boost broadband penetration, streamline regulatory frameworks, and protect telecom assets from vandalism and service disruptions.
Participants included representatives from the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), state ministries, and investment promotion agencies. Together, they agreed on 13 key action points to strengthen broadband development and ensure infrastructure resilience nationwide.
Among the major outcomes, states pledged to reduce or eliminate Right of Way (RoW) charges within three months, following the examples set by Katsina and Nasarawa. Other measures included ensuring transparent administrative fees, embedding fiber optic protection clauses in road construction contracts, and enforcing penalties for vandalism or illegal excavations. The group also emphasized the importance of community engagement initiatives to promote digital literacy and local ownership of telecom infrastructure.
To enhance national coordination, the NCC was appointed as the lead agency for monitoring and evaluation, supported by the NGF, ONSA, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Progress will be tracked using the National Infrastructure Implementation Tracker and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI).
The NCC also unveiled its Ease of Doing Business Portal, a digital platform offering investors and policymakers access to real-time data on broadband deployment, regulatory frameworks, and connectivity across states.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that these coordinated efforts will accelerate broadband-friendly policies, attract new investment, and reduce infrastructure vandalism. By 2026, Nigeria aims to achieve full compliance with the national RoW benchmark of ₦145 per meter, reinforcing its vision of a resilient, inclusive, and investment-ready digital economy.
