The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have entered into a strategic alliance to harmonise Right of Way (RoW) policies, deepen broadband penetration, and drive inclusive digital transformation across states.
This follows a courtesy visit by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who led a delegation to the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, where they were warmly received by NGF Director-General Abdulateef Shittu.
In a statement signed by NGF’s Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Tanko Abdullahi, both institutions reaffirmed their joint resolve to expand high-speed internet access, safeguard critical national information infrastructure (CNII), and align subnational and national digital policies.
Dr. Maida commended the NGF’s willingness to collaborate, describing digital infrastructure as a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s economy. He stressed that the current RoW fee of N145 per linear metre remains a major burden on telecom operators and urged states to either waive or drastically reduce the charges to accelerate fibre optic deployment.
“The Right of Way is a critical element in unlocking the digital economy, and its regulation lies within the purview of the states,” Maida said.
On his part, NGF DG Abdulateef Shittu emphasised that broadband and secure digital infrastructure have become “foundational public goods” required for modern development. He noted that despite Nigeria’s rapid connectivity growth, broadband penetration still lags behind the threshold for true digital inclusion.
Shittu proposed four areas of deeper partnership with the NCC:
Establishing State Broadband Coordinating Councils for institutional alignment.
Standardising Right of Way rules across states.
Developing state-level resilience plans for CNII protection.
Expanding information-sharing and capacity building.
Citing the World Bank’s SABRE initiative as a model, Shittu explained that states that harmonised RoW fees and adopted coordinated trenching have already recorded rapid fibre rollout, improved access to high-capacity networks, and increased private investment.
Both the NCC and NGF agreed that removing RoW barriers would not only unlock telecom sector growth but also boost state revenues, spur innovation, and widen access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities.
The NGF further proposed leveraging the upcoming NCC Business Roundtable to secure state-level commitments and convene joint workshops to share best practices from leading states with those yet to catch up.
“Expanded fibre coverage drives productivity, creates jobs, enhances service delivery, and broadens the taxable base of state governments. With political will, coordination, and the convening power of governors, we can fast-track Nigeria’s march toward universal, affordable, and resilient connectivity,” Shittu added.
The NCC–NGF partnership is expected to serve as a blueprint for seamless digital integration between states and the federal government, ensuring that Nigeria’s broadband agenda delivers tangible benefits to citizens and the economy.
