NCC Seeks Greater Infrastructure Investment In Nigeria At Digital Connectivity Forum

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased public and private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure to expand digital connectivity and improve service quality across Nigeria.

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 in Abuja.

The two-day forum, organised by the NCC in collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla, brought together regulators, investors, infrastructure providers, development finance institutions and other stakeholders to examine opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure sector.

Maida said sustained investment was necessary to expand network capacity and improve the experience of Nigerians already connected to telecommunications services.

He noted that demand for reliable digital connectivity was increasing as individuals, businesses, educational institutions and public agencies increasingly depended on broadband-enabled services.

The NCC chief 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 an increase of nearly 47 per cent.

He said the growth was expected to continue as cloud services, digital platforms and artificial intelligence applications became more widely adopted.

Maida stressed that the investment challenge went beyond expanding network coverage, noting that existing users also required better service quality and infrastructure capable of supporting emerging technologies.

He said the commission was working to create a more predictable environment for investors through evidence-based regulation and engagement with state governments on Right of Way issues.

He also cited the 2025 telecommunications tariff adjustment and the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure as measures aimed at strengthening the sector and supporting further investment.

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 was essential to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He identified infrastructure, policy and innovation, entrepreneurship and capital as key priorities for developing the country’s digital economy.

Stakeholders at the forum also examined financing models, data transparency, infrastructure deployment and partnerships that could help close connectivity gaps across underserved areas.

Maida urged local and international investors, development finance institutions and infrastructure providers to explore emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and work with the NCC to accelerate digital connectivity.