*The Governing Board, the Nigerian Communications Commission, unveils proactive measures to address the growing consumer data demand, attendant constraint of limited infrastructure capacity, heavy dependence on mobile Internet connectivity, and the duplication of assets as key factors that have compromised Quality of Service and consumer experience in the telecoms space in recent times
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
Sequel to subscribers’ heavy dependence on mobile Internet connectivity of recent, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed industry measures to expand fibre optic infrastructure to support data demand and Quality of Service (QoS).
ConsumerConnect reports the Governing Board of the Commission said this in its communiqué released after its recent 109th meeting, held in Abuja, FCT.
The Office of the Secretary to the Commission, in the communiqué, said the Board accepted the report on current data consumption trends in Nigeria.
The Board noted though consumer data demand continues to accelerate, growth however, has been constrained by limited infrastructure capacity, a heavy dependence on mobile Internet connectivity, and the duplication of assets, factors that have invariably compromised Quality of Service (QoS).
The telecoms sector regulatory Commission acknowledged the encouraging growth in Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections, which it noted increased from 84,141 subscribers in Q4 2025 to 210,065 subscribers as of Q5 2025.
According to NCC, as the number of connections remains modest relative to the scale of national demand, the upward trend reflects growing adoption of fixed Broadband services in the burgeoning Nigeria Digital Economy.
Rising consumer data demand and strained mobile networks
The Commission equally acknowledged the continued expansion of FTTH, and other fixed-fibre connections would help to ease off pressure on mobile networks, improve service quality, and provide consumers with more connectivity options in the ecosystem.
The Board, the communiqué also stated, noted the Commission’s ongoing review of the telecommunications market structure to reflect current market realities.
These, the Board said, included the distinct roles of the wholesale and retail segments, and the application of appropriate regulatory measures where necessary.
It further noted that broader access to wholesale backbone fibre optic, supported by expanded metropolitan fibre networks, would enable more individual consumers, homes, businesses and organisations to connect to fixed Broadband services.
The Commission also stated: “Over time, this should help to reduce underlying connectivity costs, create the conditions for more affordable retail data services and improve network resilience.”
The communiqué as well indicated the Board re-affirmed that the structured approach represents the most sustainable pathway to meeting Nigeria’s data needs over the next decade.
It restated this move is consistent with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and the target of a $1 trillion economy in years ahead.
CNII and extant challenges of infrastructure vandalism
As part of measures at addressing continued infrastructure damage in the communications sector, the Board of NCC noted the prevailing sectoral challenges affecting the operations of licensees of the Commission.
It enumerated such challenges to include infrastructure vandalism, which the Commission said had continued to hinder industry growth.
The Board acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to protect telecoms infrastructure.
It is recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed an Executive Order designating telecoms assets as part of Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
Despite the regulatory directive to protect critical telecoms infrastructure, the Board, however, stressed the need for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders.
It said that was to strengthen the protection and security of network facilities and related infrastructure in the digital environment.
The Board as well reaffirmed its commitment to fast-tracking initiatives to enhance infrastructure security, including exploring the feasibility of establishing a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund.
Change of guard on DBI Board
In view of the repositioning of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), the Governing Board of the Commission also reviewed the status of the Institute.
It described DBI as “a company limited by guarantee”, emphasising the governance gaps arising from the expiration of tenure of the DBI Board Chairman and some Board members.
The communiqué disclosed the NCC Board members noted the need to strengthen governance oversight, and reposition DBI to contribute more effectively to the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy.
ConsumerConnect reports the Commission approved the appointment of Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, a Non-Executive Commissioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission, as Interim Chairman of the DBI Governing Board.
The Board equally approved the appointment of Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, as interim members of the DBI Governing Board.
The Board of NCC as well restated its commitment to stakeholders, that the Commission would advance a sustainable and inclusive communications sector as an enabler of the digital economy.
Members of the Board further identified priorities of Quality of Service and network resilience, consumer protection and transparency, fair competition and market discipline, which the Commission would continue to pursue.
Board affirms MNOs’ commitment to infrastructure expansion
In a related development, the Board of the Commission acknowledged the significant investments, which the Mobile Network Operators have made to enhance network coverage, capacity and overall Quality of Experience (QoE).
The communiqué noted the Board assured that network operators have planned the deployment of over 12,000 additional coverage and capacity sites.
It stated the move is aimed at improving consumers’ Quality of Experience with over 5,000 already completed representing over 40 percent completion rate, said the NCC.
Besides, the Board confirmed the continued strengthening of transmission infrastructure, with fiber connectivity extended to over 700 sites, improving network resilience, backhaul capacity and service reliability.
Aside from these, the Commission affirmed that colocation and infrastructure sharing licensees have sustained their investment in infrastructure upgrades.
It disclosed the licensees also have deployed new equipment across over 2,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to support operators’ network expansion efforts while improving compliance with their QoS obligations to telecoms regulators and consumers.