Nigeria’s broadband expansion efforts have received a major boost after 11 states scrapped charges on Right-of-Way (RoW) for fibre-optic cable deployment, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced on Wednesday.
Right-of-Way fees are levies imposed by state governments on telecom operators for laying fibre cables along roads and public land. These charges have long been identified as one of the biggest obstacles to broadband rollout in Africa’s most populous nation, where internet access remains below the global average.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a business roundtable in Abuja. He commended the 11 states that have eliminated the fees and urged others to follow suit to accelerate the rollout of digital infrastructure nationwide.
“One of the most significant barriers to broadband deployment in Nigeria has been the high RoW fees charged by state governments, despite a resolution by the Nigerian Governors Forum fixing the rate at ₦145 per linear metre,” Maida said.
He explained that the removal of these fees would reduce deployment costs, improve affordability, and attract more investment into Nigeria’s broadband sector. However, he noted that the continued imposition of RoW charges by some states creates a fragmented regulatory environment that discourages investors and delays national connectivity goals.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to achieving Nigeria’s target of 70% broadband penetration by 2025 through collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments.
