The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed concern over the country’s low fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) penetration, warning that inadequate fixed broadband infrastructure could constrain Nigeria’s long-term digital transformation despite growing internet adoption.
Speaking at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) High-Level Industry Forum on FTTH in Lagos, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, said Nigeria currently has about 265,000 active FTTH subscriptions, a figure he described as significantly below the country’s connectivity needs.
According to Maida, Nigeria recorded 154.72 million active internet subscriptions as of April 2026, while broadband penetration reached 55.67%. However, he noted that most internet users continue to depend on mobile broadband, which may not consistently deliver the high-capacity, low-latency connectivity increasingly required for modern digital services.
He added that monthly data consumption has climbed to about 1.4 million terabytes, reflecting rising demand for bandwidth-intensive applications such as video conferencing, cloud computing, remote work, digital education and artificial intelligence.
“This low base should not discourage us, it should focus us,” Maida said. “It shows the scale of opportunity before Nigeria and reinforces the need to create the right conditions for fibre to expand.”
The NCC identified several obstacles slowing fibre deployment across the country, including Right-of-Way (RoW) bottlenecks, lengthy approval processes, infrastructure vandalism, theft and inconsistent deployment standards.
According to the Commission, more than 27,600 fibre cuts and over 4,200 theft incidents were recorded during 2025, disrupting network operations and increasing maintenance costs for telecommunications operators.
Maida noted that 13 states have eliminated Right-of-Way charges for fibre deployment, while 16 states have adopted the nationally recommended rate of ₦145 per linear metre. He urged other state governments to align with the policy to accelerate broadband infrastructure expansion and improve investment conditions.
To support industry growth, the NCC said it has introduced an Ease of Doing Business Portal, providing state-by-state information on deployment conditions to improve transparency for investors. The Commission is also conducting a Wholesale Fixed Broadband Market Assessment aimed at promoting infrastructure sharing, strengthening competition and encouraging greater private-sector investment.
The regulator further called on property developers and urban planners to integrate telecommunications infrastructure into new residential, commercial and industrial developments alongside essential utilities such as electricity, water and road networks.
Maida stressed that expanding fibre infrastructure remains essential to improving internet quality, supporting innovation, attracting digital investment and strengthening Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
“We must build fibre networks that are resilient, future-ready and capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital aspirations for decades to come,” he said.
