The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased public and private investment in digital infrastructure to expand broadband access, improve service quality and support the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, made the call on Monday at the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum organised by the Commission in partnership with Swedfund and Ookla in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, on September 29, 2026, Maida said the forum was designed to bring regulators, investors, infrastructure providers and development partners together to examine Nigeria’s connectivity investment needs and identify barriers to infrastructure deployment.
He said the forum would also provide opportunities to develop partnerships capable of accelerating digital transformation and economic growth while improving the quality of life of Nigerians.
According to Maida, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has demonstrated the transformative impact of sound policies, transparent regulation and investor confidence over the past 25 years.
He noted that the liberalisation of the sector and transparent licensing processes encouraged private-sector participation, resulting in significant expansion of connectivity and communications services nationwide.
“The experience of the last two and a half decades underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment for investment. As a regulator, the Commission remains committed to facilitating investment while ensuring consumer protection and promoting fair competition,” he said.
Maida said demand for reliable digital connectivity was increasing rapidly as households, businesses, schools and government services became more dependent on broadband-enabled technologies.
He added that the growing use of cloud services, digital platforms and artificial intelligence would further increase demand for robust and resilient telecommunications infrastructure.
The NCC chief 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 an increase of nearly 47 per cent within one year.
He said sustaining such growth would require substantial investment in network expansion, modernisation and improvements in quality of service.
“The investment challenge before us is not merely one of expanding coverage. It is also about ensuring that those already connected enjoy better service quality, improved user experiences, and infrastructure capable of supporting future technologies,” Maida said.
He listed several measures being implemented to create a more favourable investment environment, 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 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the initiatives are intended to reduce barriers to network deployment and strengthen investor confidence.
Maida also reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to evidence-based regulation, saying improved data and transparency would provide investors with clearer information about opportunities and infrastructure gaps within the telecommunications sector.
He urged local and international investors, development finance institutions, infrastructure providers and other industry stakeholders to take advantage of emerging opportunities and partner with the Commission to expand digital connectivity across Nigeria.
“The investment we advance today must ultimately translate into better opportunities for Nigerians, improved access to services, and a stronger digital economy that supports sustainable national development,” he said.
He commended Swedfund and Ookla for their partnership with the NCC, noting that their c
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