NCC, stakeholders partner to boost broadband access, digital transformation in Nigeria

Joy Agwunobi

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is partnering with key players in the telecommunications sector to accelerate broadband access across the country, aiming for minimum speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural regions by 2025.

This initiative forms part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020-2025, which the NCC views as a cornerstone of its strategy to accelerate Nigeria’s economic recovery. During the WorldStage Economic Summit (WES) 2024 in Lagos, Aminu Maida, the NCC’s executive vice chairman, shared insights into the commission’s broader vision for driving economic growth through digital innovation during his presentation titled “NCC’s Vision to Impact Nigeria’s Economic Recovery”

Maida emphasised that broadband connectivity is the bedrock of economic recovery, stating that it fosters innovation and supports activities across every sector. He reiterated the commission’s commitment to expanding broadband infrastructure, creating an enabling environment for both local and international investments, and supporting the country’s transition to a more digitally empowered future.

During the summit, the NCC boss highlighted the transformative role digital technologies play in driving economic growth, stating that digital transformation is no longer optional but a necessity for Nigeria’s economic revival.

“The commission is focused on building a strong digital economy that fosters inclusive growth, creates jobs, and enhances the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses on the global stage,” Maida said.

He also outlined the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030), which prioritises broadband penetration, digital literacy, and the development of a vibrant digital ecosystem. This, he added, is supported by the Ministerial Strategic Blueprint, which is provided  by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, which highlights five key pillars: Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Trade.

This framework, according to Maida, drives the commission’s approach to the digital economy, with knowledge as the bedrock of innovation and infrastructure providing the backbone for growth.

According to Maida, the NCC’s approach is shaped by its commitment to supporting digital economy initiatives across Nigeria. The commission actively participates in conferences, regional tech gatherings, digital entrepreneurship programs, and workshops on emerging technologies. These engagements are designed to nurture talent, empower youth, and drive innovation in various sectors, including agriculture, finance, health, and education.

A key element of the NCC’s strategy is fostering public-private partnerships to expand digital infrastructure and drive digital literacy. Maida highlighted several recent partnerships, including the collaboration one of which is the recent launch of the 4G/5G Test Lab in collaboration with NOKIA, as well as vocational training initiatives aimed at equipping Nigerian youth with the skills necessary to thrive in the telecommunications industry.

In outlining some of the NCC’s recent achievements which are central to the NCC’s strategy to bridge the digital divide and strengthen Nigeria’s broadband capabilities, Maida referenced several key projects like the expansion of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), the establishment of an IXP data centre in Nigeria’s Northeast, and the upgrade of data capacity within the IXPN backbone. These efforts, Maida said are critical to achieving the NCC’s goal of 25 Mbps broadband speed in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas by 2025.

In addition,he noted that  the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has extended high-speed internet to underserved rural areas through initiatives like the Rural Broadband Initiative and the Accelerated Mobile Phone Expansion Project.

Maida also emphasised that the commission  has made progress in reducing regulatory hurdles to telecommunications expansion. He pointed out that the commission has successfully negotiated lower Right of Way (RoW) charges with 12 states, with six states completely waiving the fees.

“Our collaborations with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and international partners, such as the World Bank and the United Kingdom’s Digital Access Programme, have been instrumental in advancing digital infrastructure,” the NCC EVC added.

In addition to its broadband initiatives, the NCC has also played a critical role in securing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Maida highlighted the importance of the Executive Order signed by  Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August this year, which designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). This designation ensures that any intentional damage to telecom infrastructure is now considered a criminal offence, providing greater protection for telecommunications investments and reducing downtime across Nigeria’s networks.

“The Executive Order on CNII marks a significant step towards safeguarding our telecommunications infrastructure,” Maida said. He noted that the NCC is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other stakeholders to implement the order and ensure that Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure is secure.”

Looking ahead, Maida stressed that the NCC remains committed to building a sustainable digital economy that will drive inclusive growth, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness. He noted that the NCC is continually reviewing and updating its policies to keep pace with technological advancements, including the adoption of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain technologies.

The NCC’s commitment to inclusive growth extends to its efforts in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. According to Maida, the Commission has rolled out several initiatives targeting underserved communities, including digital literacy programs, entrepreneurship training, and technology-based capacity-building workshops.

“The NCC is not only a regulator but a partner in progress, committed to driving positive change and innovation in Nigeria’s digital economy,” Maida stated.

In conclusion, he called on stakeholders in the private sector to invest in Nigeria’s rapidly increasing digital economy and take advantage of the numerous opportunities it presents.