The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased public and private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate broadband expansion, improve service quality and support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, made the call at the opening of the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum in Abuja, organised by the Commission in collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla.
The two-day forum brings together regulators, investors, infrastructure providers, development finance institutions, technology companies and development partners to examine investment opportunities, address barriers to infrastructure deployment and explore partnerships that can accelerate digital transformation and economic development.
Maida highlighted Nigeria’s telecommunications growth over the past 25 years, attributing the sector’s expansion to sound policy, transparent regulation and investor confidence. He said continued investment is needed not only to expand coverage but also to improve service quality and prepare networks for future technologies.
Demand for connectivity is increasing as businesses, individuals, educational institutions and public services adopt broadband-enabled technologies, cloud services, digital platforms and artificial intelligence applications. Maida disclosed that Nigeria’s data consumption rose from approximately 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to about 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026, representing growth of nearly 47%.
The NCC chief executive highlighted measures intended to reduce deployment barriers and strengthen investor confidence, including the telecommunications tariff adjustment approved in 2025, engagements with state governments on Right of Way issues and the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
He also called for greater use of evidence-based regulation to improve transparency and regulatory certainty. The NCC Consumer Data Lab, funded by the Gates Foundation and developed with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), combines Ookla network performance data, consumer complaints and operators’ intervention reports to help identify connectivity gaps and assess service improvements.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said digital infrastructure increasingly shapes Nigeria’s investment climate, competitiveness and ability to participate in international trade. She noted that private networks, data centres, digital platforms and secure data systems are becoming critical to modern economic activity.
Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, highlighted gaps in connectivity coverage, quality, affordability and supporting infrastructure. She identified energy, cybersecurity and digital skills as important elements of a sustainable connectivity ecosystem and said Swedish institutions and companies could contribute technology, commercial expertise, development finance and project development.
Ookla VP of Sales, Middle East & Africa, Tristan Muhader, said connectivity has become an operating layer for economic and public activity across sectors. He said independent connectivity data can help identify areas where infrastructure investment can have the greatest impact and support stronger digital resilience.
Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, Director of the National Frequency Management Council Adetunji Adeyemo said reliable, affordable, resilient and accessible digital infrastructure is essential to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The forum provides a platform for stakeholders to use evidence, investment partnerships and regulatory collaboration to expand digital connectivity and strengthen the infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.
