Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is developing a wholesale fibre access framework that will allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to access existing fibre infrastructure on fair and transparent terms, a move expected to expand broadband penetration, stimulate competition and reduce internet costs across the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this while speaking at the BusinessDay 2026 CEO Forum in Lagos.
Maida said Nigeria’s digital transformation has reached a point where attention must shift from simply expanding connectivity to ensuring that available digital infrastructure is effectively utilised to drive economic growth and improve productivity across key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing.
Reflecting on the country’s telecommunications journey, he noted that Nigeria had fewer than 500,000 telephone lines before the sector was liberalised in 2000 but now boasts more than 180 million active telecom connections.
According to him, the country already has significant fibre infrastructure, but the lack of a structured wholesale market has prevented many service providers from accessing it.
“We have fibre connectivity in many parts of the country. The challenge is creating a framework that guarantees fair and transparent access to that infrastructure,” Maida said.
He explained that the absence of such a framework has limited competition, with about 85 per cent of ISPs concentrated in Lagos and other major urban centres despite the existence of fibre networks in other regions.
The proposed wholesale fibre market will introduce transparent pricing and non-discriminatory access rules, enabling more operators to utilise existing infrastructure instead of duplicating networks. The Commission believes this will encourage fresh investment, improve broadband coverage and make internet services more affordable for consumers.
Maida also called for greater investment in digital infrastructure outside Lagos, including the establishment of additional data centres across the country to strengthen digital resilience and improve access to cloud services.
He stressed that digital infrastructure should support both commercial activities and essential public services, including education and healthcare, while helping to bridge regional connectivity gaps.
The NCC chief emphasised that effective regulation remains essential to ensure that market competition translates into wider access, better quality of service and lower costs for consumers.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to policies that promote broadband expansion, attract investment and ensure that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure delivers greater economic and social benefits nationwide.
