Nigeria: Telecom Analyst Urges Unified Right-of-Way Charges to Fast-Track Broadband Expansion

A telecommunications policy expert, Osita Odafi, has called on the Federal Government to harmonise Right-of-Way (RoW) charges across Nigeria and incentivise local manufacturing of telecom infrastructure, warning that without urgent reforms, Nigeria may struggle to meet its digital transformation goals.

In a briefing, Odafi noted that although Nigeria has made significant progress in mobile and internet penetration, the country’s core telecom infrastructure is fragile and under pressure, particularly in the face of upcoming demands from 5G networks, smart cities, and AI-driven services.

“Nigeria’s digital ambitions hinge on robust, resilient infrastructure, yet we’re hindered by fragmented RoW policies, erratic power supply, forex instability, and heavy dependence on imported equipment,” Odafi stated.

While the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recommends a unified RoW charge of ₦145 per linear meter, several state governments still impose rates as high as ₦10,000 per meter, stalling crucial fibre optic deployments. Odafi revealed that only 12 states have complied with the NCC rate, while others continue to introduce hidden charges disguised as environmental or administrative fees, creating barriers to national broadband rollout.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s ambition to reach 70% broadband penetration by 2025 could be derailed unless these structural bottlenecks are addressed.

Odafi also raised concerns over the telecom sector’s reliance on imported equipment, stressing the need for backward integration and urging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to collaborate with telecom stakeholders on building local manufacturing capacity.

“CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso’s advocacy for local production is commendable, but it must be complemented with targeted incentives—including tax reliefs, funding support, and regulatory clarity,” he added.

Highlighting the impact of energy costs, Odafi revealed that telecom operators consume over 40 million litres of diesel monthly, straining operational budgets. He welcomed recent efforts by the NCC and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to facilitate solar energy adoption for telecom sites, especially in rural and underserved regions.

Another area of concern is the increasing vulnerability of telecom infrastructure. In 2024 alone, over 50,000 fibre cutswere recorded, with 60% linked to road construction by government contractors. Odafi urged full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of telecoms as Critical National Information Infrastructure, calling for enhanced enforcement and community engagement to protect national assets.

He also underscored the urgency of deploying Nigeria’s 90,000km national fibre backbone and 7,000 planned rural base stations, warning that further delays would compromise the country’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

“Telecom networks are now central to everything from digital finance to telemedicine and e-learning. Infrastructure is no longer optional—it’s foundational. If Nigeria hopes to lead in the digital age, we must prioritise investment in secure, inclusive, and future-ready telecom systems,” Odafi concluded.