The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged increased public and private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate broadband expansion, improve service quality, and support Nigeria's growing digital economy. This call was made by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, at the opening of the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum in Abuja. The forum aimed to provide a strategic platform for fostering dialogue between regulators, investors, infrastructure providers, and development partners.
Dr. Maida noted that Nigeria's telecommunications success story over the last twenty-five years demonstrates the transformative impact of sound policy, transparent regulation, and investor confidence. The liberalization of the telecommunications sector and the introduction of transparent licensing processes encouraged private sector participation, leading to unprecedented growth in connectivity and communications services across the country. He emphasized that the experience underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment for investment.
The demand for reliable digital connectivity continues to rise as individuals, businesses, educational institutions, and public services increasingly depend on broadband-enabled technologies to function effectively. Dr. Maida disclosed that data consumption in Nigeria increased from approximately 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to about 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026, representing a growth of nearly 47 per cent within one year. He noted that sustaining this level of growth would require significant investments in network expansion, modernization, and quality-of-service improvements.
Dr. Maida highlighted that the investment challenge is not merely one of expanding coverage but also about ensuring that those already connected enjoy better service quality, improved user experiences, and infrastructure capable of supporting future technologies. Among the measures already implemented, he cited the telecommunications tariff adjustment approved in 2025 to support operators' capacity for network investment and service improvement.
The NCC Chief Executive also highlighted the role of the Commission's Consumer Data Lab, funded by the Gates Foundation and developed in collaboration with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). The platform integrates Ookla's network performance data, consumer complaints, and operators' intervention reports into a single dashboard that enables deeper analysis of connectivity issues by location and demographic characteristics.
The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, commended the NCC and its partners for convening the investment forum, stressing that the conversation is about infrastructure required to produce, connect, invest, and trade in a modern economy. She noted that the forum was timely as the quality of a country's digital infrastructure increasingly determines the quality of investment climate, competitiveness, and ability to participate meaningfully.
Dr. Maida further stressed the Commission's determination to strengthen evidence-based regulation as a means of improving transparency, enhancing regulatory certainty, and providing clearer insights into investment opportunities within the telecommunications sector. He called on local and international investors, development finance institutions, infrastructure providers, and industry stakeholders to take advantage of emerging opportunities within Nigeria's telecommunications sector and partner with the Commission in expanding digital connectivity across the country.
Key points
- The NCC is seeking increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate broadband expansion and support Nigeria's growing digital economy.
- Nigeria's data consumption grew by nearly 47 per cent within one year, from 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026.
- The NCC aims to strengthen evidence-based regulation to improve transparency and provide clearer insights into investment opportunities within the telecommunications sector.
