{"id":6067,"date":"2026-11-06T14:17:50","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T14:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=6067"},"modified":"2026-11-06T15:17:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T15:17:09","slug":"nigerias-commitment-to-improved-telecoms-infrastructure-and-zero-cost-right-of-way-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=6067","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria&#8217;s commitment to improved telecoms infrastructure and zero-cost Right of Way policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>*<strong><em>The Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission, intensifies the implementation of its Right of Way policy, as the Bauchi State Government joins 12 other states to approve zero-cost RoW policy, to attract further investments into telecoms infrastructure sub-sector, deepen Broadband connectivity, create opportunities, and lower costs of digital services for consumers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect<\/p>\n<p>As the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) intensifies the implementation of its Right of Way (RoW) policy, the number of sub-nationals, especially the state governments supporting the telecoms initiative, has continued to increase.<\/p>\n<p>The Right of Way policy has been described as the &#8220;legal permission and access&#8221; granted to telecoms companies by Federal, state, or local government authorities to lay, install, and maintain telecoms infrastructure, including fiber optic cables either on, under, or across public roads, highways, and land in Nigeria.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"5KLcO5Gmuw\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=6094\">Health Alert: FCCPC warns producers, directs adequate fortification of oil and salt with full minerals (See Brands)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cHealth Alert: FCCPC warns producers, directs adequate fortification of oil and salt with full minerals (See Brands)\u201d \u2014 Consumer Experience Is A Top Priority\" src=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=6094&amp;embed=true#?secret=RnBcBfbfyE#?secret=5KLcO5Gmuw\" data-secret=\"5KLcO5Gmuw\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Whereas the RoW fees are specific charges that telecoms companies or Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) pay to state governments for permission to dig up roads and lay fiber-optic cables in the West African country.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key aspects of Right of Way policy implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In terms of the governing laws regulating the implementation of the policy, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA 2003) and guidelines from the Federal Ministry of Works guide how the NCC&#8217;s telecoms licensees request approvals and manage physical construction across the country.<\/p>\n<p>Still, in a move to attract investments into telecoms infrastructure sub-sector, deepen Broadband connectivity, and lower costs of digital services for consumers, the National Economic Council (NEC) once&nbsp; recommended a capped rate of \u20a6145 per linear meter for RoW charges on new builds to lower broadband deployment costs in Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6070\" src=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/images-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"672\" height=\"403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/images-1.jpg 545w, https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/images-1-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Photo: Bauchi State Government&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Despite the Federal guidelines, RoW rates yet vary significantly across individual states, though several states have pushed for reductions or total fee waivers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How Nigerian states eliminate RoW fees: NCC <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As of November 2026, the Nigerian Communications Commission reported that 13 Nigerian states in the Federation have completely cancelled or waived Right of Way charges for telecoms fibre-optic infrastructure in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission also disclosed that 16 other states though had adopted the NEC-recommended rate of \u20a6145 per linear metre.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bauchi joins 12 other states, waives RoW charges <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>ConsumerConnect<\/em> reports&nbsp; the number of states that have \u201cfully\u201d eliminated or waived their RoW charges nationwide recently increased to 13 with the Bauchi State Government, in Northern Nigeria, as the latest addition.<\/p>\n<p>Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State disclosed this development during the launch of the Bauchi State Innovation and Startup Law 2026, and the graduation of over 100 youths trained in cybersecurity recently.<\/p>\n<p>Mohammed, represented at the event by Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, said the state&#8217;s official policy, which eliminates fees for laying fiber-optic cables and installing network infrastructure was aimed at attracting telecoms operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), reducing the cost of doing business, and expanding high-speed Internet services in the state and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>The statement government also explained that it approved zero Right-of-Way charges to boost Broadband technology and telecoms infrastructure deployment in the region.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, the zero-cost Right of Way policy decision now eliminates MNOs&#8217; fees for laying fiber-optic cables and installing network infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The governor also urged telecoms companies and Internet Service Providers to invest in the state.<\/p>\n<p>Mohammed further assured the network providers of a favourable environment to expand their services to consumers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mohammed: State committed to strengthening digital infrastructure, economic opportunities for youths<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On the overarching reason for the state government&#8217;s decision to approve zero-cost RoW policy, Governor Mohammed stressed the decision was part of his administration\u2019s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting innovation and creating economic opportunities for young people in the West African country.<\/p>\n<p>Mohammed stated: \u201cI am pleased to announce that my administration has approved a zero right-of-way charge on Broadband deployment across the entirety of Bauchi State.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are sending a clear message to telecommunications companies and Internet Service Providers: come to Bauchi, serve our communities at zero cost and connect our people to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Highlighting the importance of technology adoption in governance, he described technology as a critical driver of development.<\/p>\n<p>Mohammed explained that digital transformation has become central to public service delivery, business operations, and access to economic opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>The governor as well noted that his administration had introduced data management guidelines, and established institutional frameworks to support digital transformation and innovation in the Northern state.<\/p>\n<p>Governor, therefore, reassured telecoms stakeholders of his administration&#8217;s commitment to improving Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure, expanding digital skills, and supporting the growth of technology ecosystem across Bauchi State.<\/p>\n<p>He equally congratulated the fresh graduates, who completed approximately six months of training and obtained internationally recognised CompTIA Security+ certifications.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, in terms of impact of the zero-cost RoW in the telecoms ecosystem, it was gathered that industry stakeholders from the Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy, Galaxy Backbone Limited, and major telecoms companies, including MTN Nigeria, Globacom, and Airtel, have noted that the zero-fee framework will accelerate the deployment of 4G and 5G services, and create more tech-driven jobs for young Nigerians.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*The Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission, intensifies the implementation of its Right of Way policy, as the Bauchi State Government joins 12 other states&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"Photo Collage of NCC Logo and Fibre Optic Cables 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