In a momentous display of cooperative vision and strategic clarity, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have charted a collective course towards transforming the nation’s digital landscape. This historic meeting marks a decisive shift in how critical digital infrastructure will be stewarded—melding federal direction with state-level ownership, and forging a path to inclusive digital growth.
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, offered measured praise for the governors’ willingness to collaborate. He observed that their receptiveness to engaging on digital economy matters “reflects a shared belief in the impact digital solutions can have on subnational development.” Such alignment between tiers of government, Maida noted, isn’t merely desirable—it’s a game changer in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
At the heart of his message lay a pressing structural challenge: the Right of Way (RoW) fees. Currently fixed at ₦145 per linear metre, these fees increasingly constrain telecommunications firms from expanding fibre networks. Maida urged states to either reduce or eliminate these charges, emphasising that “The Right of Way is a critical element in opening up the digital economy, and this lies within the purview of the states.”
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Strengthening the Foundation: Broadband as a Public Good
Complementing Maida’s call, NGF Director-General, Dr Abdulateef Shittu, offered a keenly balanced perspective. He outlined broadband, and secure digital infrastructure more broadly as foundational public goods—essential components underpinning modern development. Despite notable gains, Nigeria’s broadband penetration remains below the level needed for transformative digital inclusion.
To tackle this, Shittu proposed four concrete partnership pillars with NCC:
- Institutional Alignment through the creation of State Broadband Coordinating Councils, ensuring localised implementation and oversight.
- Policy Harmonisation to unify RoW rules across states, reducing fragmentation.
- Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Resilience, via state-level protection plans.
- Information Sharing and Capacity Building, promoting mutual learning among states.
He pointed to the World Bank’s SABER initiative as a compelling model. States that have harmonised or waived RoW fees and embraced coordinated trenching practices have seen dramatic increases in fibre rollout, with tangible benefits: improved productivity, job creation, and expanded access to health and education services.
Shittu’s assessment clearly articulated that narrowing the connectivity gap isn’t just about technology—it’s about social and economic inclusion, with digital infrastructure serving as a multiplier for development.
Turning Promise into Reality: Pragmatic Next Steps
While the vision is compelling, both stakeholders are equally committed to grounding lofty ambitions in measurable outcomes.
The NGF suggested leveraging the upcoming NCC Business Roundtable as a platform for governors to formalise pledges—translating goodwill into agreements with timelines and targets attached.
To further strengthen follow-through, Shittu proposed joint workshops between NCC and NGF. These would distil best practices from states that are already making progress into practical toolkits. Such toolkits would support lagging states in implementing reforms—from fee schemes to trenching logistics—with actionable, state-specific guidance.
Dr Maida added that easing RoW burdens stands to unlock deeper economic value: “Telecom companies will have the ability to create more value chains, benefiting citizens and boosting tax revenues for states.”
Meanwhile, Shittu underlined how expanded fibre networks can uplift lives: “Expanded fibre coverage raises productivity, supports job creation, broadens access to education and health services, and enlarges the taxable base available to state governments.”
Together, these measures sketch a clear implementation roadmap: political will, regulatory clarity, locally tailored execution, and cross-state collaboration—backed by coordinated advocacy and follow-through.
Shared Leadership, Shared Success: A New Digital Era
This NCC-NGF partnership signals more than policy coordination—it represents a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s digital governance. By blending federal regulatory capacity with state-level authority over land and security, the arrangement recognises that bridging the digital divide requires both top-down design and bottom-up ownership.
Dr Maida pledged that NCC will provide technical leadership and “regulatory clarity” to fast-track broadband expansion, especially where states lead on administrative matters.
On the other hand, the NGF commits to “political will, coordination capacity, and the convening power of the governors” to drive implementation across diverse states.
If successfully executed, this partnership holds the potential to catalyse:
- Universal, affordable and resilient connectivity
- A robust platform for education, healthcare, and commerce
- Increased productivity, job creation and enhanced tax revenue
- A more inclusive digital economy for every Nigerian
Conclusion
In marrying federal authority with subnational agility, the NCC-NGF collaboration shines as a promising model for digital transformation. It acknowledges that while technology is central, outcomes are grounded in responsive policy, clear governance, and united leadership across levels.
This is more than a joint visit or headline—it’s the start of a strategic, state-anchored partnership to unlock the full promise of Nigeria’s digital future.
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