Fibre Optics: NCC harps on collaboration, capacity-building to expand connectivity, inclusion

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, affirms the Federal Government, through Project BRIDGE, is set to deploy 90,000 kilometres additional of fibre optic cables to expand connectivity, and deepen digital inclusion across all the 774 Local Councils in the country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As stakeholders rally to advance the country’s digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has re-affirmed the significance of strategic collaboration and capacity building.

The Commission said this would help in accelerating Broadband expansion and digital transformation in the ecosystem.

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ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, stated this in a goodwill message delivered at a five-day Strategic Fibre Optics Training Workshop, in Abuja, FCT.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organised the intensive training in conjunction with the NCC’s Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), with support from the European Union (EU).

The stakeholders noted the programme is expected to strengthen digital knowledge and support policy development in participating countries.

Dr. Maida, represented at the training programme by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS) of the Commission, described the training, with the theme, “Strategic Fibre Optics Infrastructure Deployment and Regulatory Management”, as timely.

Maida: Robust fibre infrastructure critical to digital transformation

The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC averred that robust and well-regulated fibre infrastructure remain critical to any digital transformation agenda.

He also stated: “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.”

The NCC Chief further noted that the Federal Government, through Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth) under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), would deploy 90,000 kilometres additional of fibre optic cable nationwide.

On Project BRIDGE and expanded connectivity, digital inclusion

Underscoring the importance of the project, Maida explained the Project BRIDGE is aimed at expanding connectivity and deepening digital inclusion across all the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country.

He, however, identified the relatively high cost of Right of Way (RoW) charges and bureaucratic bottlenecks at subnational levels as major constraints to Broadband expansion, alongside infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission said: “In response, the commission has prioritised strategic collaboration with sister regulatory agencies, subnational governments and security institutions to facilitate seamless deployment and protection of telecom infrastructure.”

The Commission further revealed that only 13 states of the Federation have waived RoW charges thus far, following its sustained advocacy across the country.

Maida also disclosed that the effort is already attracting increased investment from telecoms operators in the ecosystem.

According to him, coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and NCC led to a 2024 Presidential Order.

Importance of designating telecoms infrastructure as CNII

The EVC/CEO of NCC said the 2024 Presidential Order also designated telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) with a view to enhancing its protection nationwide.

Maida restated that sustained collaboration has remained a central pillar of the Commission’s regulatory approach to drive infrastructure deployment and sectoral growth.

Reiterating NCC’s commitment to human capital development, the NCC Chief Executive opined that a well-trained workforce is essential to achieving a fully connected and digitally empowered nation.

Maida, therefore, expressed optimism that the five-day intensive training would equip participants with the knowledge and tools required to improve regulatory efficiency, enhance stakeholder engagement and accelerate fibre optic deployment in Nigeria.

EU global strategy prioritises digital infrastructure, education, energy, others

Earlier, in her goodwill message to participants in the training, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy, Delegation of the EU, said the EU’s global strategy prioritised key sectors of the economy.

Stefanowicz enumerated such major sectors to include digital infrastructure, transport, energy, renewable energy, health and education.

The Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy, Delegation of the EU, also said the approach had been widely implemented across African countries, including Nigeria.

The strategy, she also explained, is designed to guide funding, mobilise access to finance and expertise, and support investments in critical sectors through close collaboration with the private sector.

Stefanowicz stated: “As we realise, 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 equally cited the EU’s digital economy package for Nigeria, launched in 2022, as a major intervention, with investments amounting to 820 million Euros, including 160 million Euros in grants and additional development financing.

She affirmed the package covered a broad spectrum of the digital ecosystem.

Stefanowicz further said: “This includes digital skills development, support for digital businesses, innovation hubs, and digital public infrastructure, with a strong focus on fibre optic expansion.

“The initiative will further strengthen partnerships between Europe and Africa, fostering deeper collaboration at both public and private sector levels.”

She said that digital infrastructure remained central to digital transformation efforts.

Stefanowicz, therefore, urged participants to actively engage in the training, and take future opportunities being provided by the EU and its partners.

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