digital power house.
In this regard , let me make some concrete requests to you:
Be a partner in the operational is ation and enforcement of telecom assets as critical
Adopt 100% RoW waiver statewide (or at minimum the NGF benchmark), with clearSL Atime lines for approvals.
Institutionalise coordination between road/public works and operators shared planning portals, advance works notifications, and dig-once protocols to prevent accidental cuts.
Embrace transparency: Publish standard processes, timelines, and fees; adopt single-
Create state digital-infra funds/incentives to crowd in private fibre in rural or under served areas; leverage PPPs for open-access back bone and metro builds.
Facilitate energy resilience: Support hybrid/ solar power at sites to improve uptime and reduce OPEX and emissions.
Why This Roundtable Matters
Thisisastrategiccrossroads.Everydecision—protectivelegislation,RoWwaivers, enabling fibre shapes the future of millions. With alignment ,our states can become digital growth engines; with delay, we risk watching opportunity pass us by. Today’s discussion is about removing friction so investment flows faster and value reaches citizens sooner.
Tomorrow,theNCCwilllaunchtwostrategictools:
The Ease of Doing Business Portal, a one-stop-shop that provides information and link to our 36 States and FCT.
The Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), a framework to measure and publish annually each State’s digital readiness and competitiveness, creating a transparent score card to drive accountability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,in the 21st century, prosperity now lies in data, connectivity, and human potential. Pipelines of oil are giving way to pipelines of fibre. Factories are being redefined by how many tech entrepreneurs we nurture, not how many smokes tacks we build.
The Nigerian Communications Commission will continue to protect and expand Nigeria’s connectivity. But this is not a task we can embark on alone, it is a shared mission.Together,withGovernorsandStates,operators,theprivatesector,security agencies, and development partners, we can ensure our youth become creators, not merelyconsumersofdigitalvalue.
The digital revolution does not wait. Let us align, invest, and protect, for the prosperity of our people and the future of our nation.
Ileaveyouwiththisquestion: Will we align or be left behind? Thank you.
Dr Aminu Maida
Executive Vice Chairman
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)