The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased investment in telecommunications 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 Tuesday at the inaugural Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum in Abuja.
The two-day forum was organised by the NCC in partnership with Swedfund and Ookla and brought together regulators, investors, infrastructure providers and development partners to discuss the country’s connectivity needs.
Maida said the forum was aimed at identifying investment requirements, addressing obstacles to infrastructure deployment and creating partnerships that could accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He said Nigeria’s telecommunications industry had experienced significant growth over the past 25 years, driven by regulatory reforms, policy initiatives and increased participation from private investors.
“The experience of the last two and a half decades underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment for investment,” Maida said.
He added that the commission would continue working to attract investment while protecting consumers and promoting fair competition within the sector.
According to Maida, demand for reliable internet connectivity is rising as businesses, individuals, schools and government services increasingly rely on broadband-enabled technologies.
He noted that the growing adoption of cloud services, digital platforms and artificial intelligence would further increase pressure on telecommunications infrastructure.
The NCC chief disclosed that Nigeria’s data consumption increased from approximately 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026, representing an increase of nearly 47 per cent.
He said continued growth in data usage would require more investment in network expansion, infrastructure upgrades 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 highlighted several measures taken to encourage telecommunications investment, including the tariff adjustment approved in 2025, discussions with state governments over Right of Way challenges and the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
Maida also said the NCC was strengthening evidence-based regulation to provide greater transparency and regulatory certainty for investors.
He urged Nigerian and international investors, development finance institutions, infrastructure companies and other stakeholders to take advantage of opportunities in the country’s telecommunications market.
The NCC boss said stronger digital connectivity should ultimately translate into wider access to services and contribute to economic growth.
He also praised Swedfund and Ookla for working with the commission, saying their partnership had helped strengthen data-driven decision-making and provided better information about connectivity conditions across Nigeria.
According to Maida, information generated through the partnership is being combined with market and network data to provide a clearer picture of infrastructure gaps and potential investment opportunities.
He also highlighted the NCC’s Consumer Data Lab, funded by the Gates Foundation and developed with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA).
The platform combines network performance information from Ookla with consumer complaints and reports from telecommunications operators to help identify connectivity challenges based on location and demographic characteristics.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said digital infrastructure had become increasingly important to investment, competitiveness and international trade.
Oduwole, whose keynote address focused on “Connectivity and Competitiveness: Digital Infrastructure as a Driver of Investment Climate and Trade,” noted that modern commerce increasingly depends on private networks, data centres, digital platforms and secure data systems.
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, also identified gaps in connectivity coverage, service quality, affordability and supporting infrastructure as challenges requiring cooperation between government, businesses and investors.
She said energy supply, cybersecurity and digital skills were also important to building a sustainable digital ecosystem.
“Sweden is interested in deepening commercial and investment relations with Nigeria, particularly in digitalisation and connectivity,” Westerholm said.
She added that Swedish institutions and companies could provide technology, commercial expertise, development finance, export financing and project development support for Nigeria’s infrastructure priorities.
Ookla’s Vice-President of Sales for the Middle East and Africa, Tristan Muhader, said connectivity had become increasingly important to economic activities and public services across different sectors.
He said Ookla’s partnership with the NCC was providing information about users’ connectivity experiences and helping identify areas where infrastructure investment was needed.
Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, the Director of the National Frequency Management Council, Adetunji Adeyemo, said Nigeria’s economic transformation depended on digital infrastructure that was reliable, affordable, resilient and accessible.
He said the Federal Government had identified infrastructure, policy and innovation, entrepreneurship and capital as key areas of focus.
The forum is bringing together policymakers, investors, development finance institutions, telecom operators, infrastructure providers, technology companies and development partners to examine investment opportunities in Nigeria’s digital connectivity sector.
Source: NAN.
