Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC
NCC Reaffirms Strategic Collaboration, Capacity Building as Key to Broadband Expansion, Digital Transformation
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has once again underscored the critical role of strategic partnerships and workforce development in driving broadband growth and digital transformation across the country.
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, made this known in a goodwill message delivered at a Strategic Fibre Optics Training Workshop held in Abuja. He was represented by Mr Abraham Oshadami, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the commission.
Maida emphasised that well-regulated and robust fibre infrastructure is fundamental to any meaningful digital transformation agenda. He noted that the workshop, themed “Strategic Fibre Optics Infrastructure Deployment and Regulatory Management,” came at an opportune time.
“As a nation committed to bridging the digital divide and accelerating broadband penetration, we recognise that strategic fibre deployment is a catalyst for economic growth, financial inclusion, education, healthcare, agriculture and efficient public service delivery,” he said.
The EVC highlighted that the Federal Government, through Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth) under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, plans to deploy an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country. The project aims to expand connectivity and deepen digital inclusion in all 774 Local Government Areas.
However, Maida pointed out that high Right of Way (RoW) charges, bureaucratic bottlenecks at state and local government levels, and infrastructure vandalism remain major obstacles to broadband expansion. In response, the commission has prioritised strategic collaboration with regulatory agencies, subnational governments, and security institutions to facilitate seamless deployment and protection of telecom infrastructure.
According to Maida, 13 states have so far waived RoW charges following sustained advocacy by the NCC, a development that is already attracting increased investment from telecom operators. He also noted that coordinated efforts by the ministry, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the NCC led to a 2024 presidential order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI) to enhance its protection nationwide.
Maida reaffirmed that sustained collaboration remains a central pillar of the NCC’s regulatory approach to driving infrastructure deployment and sectoral growth. He also reiterated the commission’s commitment to human capital development, stressing that a well-trained workforce is essential for achieving a fully connected and digitally empowered nation.
He expressed confidence that the five-day intensive training—organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and supported by the European Union—would equip participants with the knowledge and tools to improve regulatory efficiency, enhance stakeholder engagement, and accelerate fibre rollout.
In her goodwill message, Ms Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation, said the EU’s global strategy prioritises key sectors including digital infrastructure, transport, energy, renewable energy, health, and education. She noted that this approach has been widely implemented across African countries, including Nigeria.
Stefanowicz explained that the strategy is designed to guide funding, mobilise access to finance and expertise, and support investments in critical sectors through close collaboration with the private sector. “Whether it is donor funding or government budgets, the infrastructure needs are too vast to be funded solely by public resources. That is why we promote solutions that allow the private sector to play a greater role in bridging these gaps,” she said.
She cited the EU’s digital economy package for Nigeria, launched in 2022, as a major intervention, with investments totalling 820 million euros, including 160 million euros in grants and additional development financing. The package covers digital skills development, support for digital businesses, innovation hubs, and digital public infrastructure, with a strong focus on fibre optic expansion. She added that the initiative will further strengthen partnerships between Europe and Africa, fostering deeper collaboration at both public and private sector levels.
Stefanowicz urged workshop participants to actively engage in the training and take advantage of future opportunities provided by the EU and its partners, noting that digital infrastructure remains central to digital transformation efforts.
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