NCC Urges Increased Investment in Digital Infrastructure to Drive Broadband Expansion

NCC Urges Increased Investment in Digital Infrastructure to Drive Broadband Expansion

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased public and private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate broadband expansion, improve service quality and support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, made the call at the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum, organised by the Commission in collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla in Abuja.

Maida said the forum provided a platform for regulators, investors, infrastructure providers and development partners to examine investment requirements, identify barriers to infrastructure deployment and explore partnerships to accelerate digital transformation.

He noted that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector had recorded significant growth over the past 25 years, driven by liberalisation, transparent regulation and increased private-sector participation.

According to him, rising demand for reliable digital connectivity, driven by cloud services, digital platforms and artificial intelligence, requires sustained investment in network expansion, modernisation and quality-of-service improvements.

He disclosed that data consumption in Nigeria rose from approximately 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to about 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026, representing nearly 47 per cent growth within one year.

“The investment challenge before us is not merely one of expanding coverage. It is also about ensuring that those already connected enjoy better service quality, improved user experiences, and infrastructure capable of supporting future technologies,” Maida said.

The NCC chief executive highlighted measures including the 2025 telecommunications tariff adjustment, engagements with state governments on Right of Way issues and the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure as efforts aimed at reducing deployment barriers and strengthening investor confidence.

He also called on local and international investors, development finance institutions, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders to explore emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who delivered the keynote address, said digital infrastructure was increasingly determining the quality of a country’s investment climate, competitiveness and ability to participate in international trade.

Speaking on “Connectivity and Competitiveness: Digital Infrastructure as a Driver of Investment Climate and Trade,” Oduwole said digital infrastructure was essential for producing, connecting, investing and trading in the modern economy.

The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, also identified connectivity coverage, quality, affordability, energy, cybersecurity and digital skills as key areas requiring attention.

She said Sweden was interested in deepening commercial and investment relations with Nigeria, particularly in digitalisation and connectivity.

Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, the Director of the National Frequency Management Council, Adetunji Adeyemo, said reliable, affordable, resilient and accessible digital infrastructure remained essential to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He added that the Federal Government had identified infrastructure, policy and innovation, entrepreneurship and capital as key strategic priorities.