…..EVC Dr Aminu Maida Urges States to Waive Right-of-Way Fees, Safeguard Critical National Assets
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to accelerate broadband investments and safeguard critical national infrastructure. He made the call during a Business Roundtable on “Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure”, held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the NCC Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja.
The event, themed “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,” brought together governors, policymakers, telecom operators, and stakeholders in the ICT ecosystem.
In his keynote remarks, Dr Maida underscored the vital role of connectivity in national development, describing broadband access as “the quiet enabler of productivity, innovation, and security.” He emphasised that reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access is essential for Nigeria’s economic inclusion and resilience.
“When connectivity fails, opportunities evaporate, productivity stalls—and in critical situations, lives can be put at risk,” Maida said, adding that nations that harnessed new technologies such as steam, electricity, and now broadband always gain a competitive edge.
The EVC noted that as of August 2025, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 48.81%, with over 140 million people having access to the internet. He stressed that a 10% increase in broadband penetration could boost Nigeria’s GDP by up to 1.38%, urging states to embrace policies that encourage private investment and infrastructure rollout.
Progress Under the National Broadband Plan
Dr. Maida highlighted the achievements of the Commission under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in implementing the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025). The plan targets 70% broadband penetration and the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone by the end of 2025.
He cited key interventions by the NCC, including:
1. Implementation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order**, signed by President Tinubu in June 2024, which mandates the protection of telecom assets and empowers law enforcement agencies to act against vandalism and theft.
2. Advocacy on Right of Way (RoW) charges, which has led to 11 states, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, and Zamfara, waiving RoW fees entirely, while 17 others have capped it at ₦145 per metre.
3. New tariff approvals that strengthen investor confidence and have prompted operators to commit over $1 billion in additional broadband rollout investments.
4. Wholesale Fibre Study to enhance infrastructure sharing among providers and improve last-mile connectivity.
5. Transparency initiatives, including performance disclosures and service quality dashboards to improve industry accountability.
Challenges and the Call to Action
Despite the progress, Maida decried the persistent challenge of infrastructure vandalism, revealing that between January and August 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 equipment thefts, and over 19,000 cases of denial of access to telecom sites.
He also identified high RoW fees, multiple taxation, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, and power supply issues as major impediments to broadband expansion.
“If our broadband backbone is weak, our youth will be marginalised, and our economy will not achieve its full potential,” the EVC warned.
Dr Maida urged state governors to partner with the NCC in operationalising telecom infrastructure protection, adopting uniform RoW policies, and promoting dig once” coordination to prevent accidental fibre cuts. He also encouraged states to establish digital infrastructure funds and support renewable energy solutions at telecom sites.
New Initiatives Announced
The EVC revealed that the NCC will soon launch two major initiatives to support digital development across Nigeria:
1. The Ease of Doing Business Portal, a one-stop platform linking investors with information and processes across all 36 states and the FCT.
2. The Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), an annual scorecard to assess and publish each state’s digital readiness and competitiveness.
Dr Maida concluded by reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to driving inclusive connectivity and digital transformation nationwide.
“Pipelines of oil are giving way to pipelines of fibre,” he stated. “The digital revolution will not wait. Together, we must align, invest, and protect so that Nigeria’s youth become creators, not just consumers, of digital value.”
