Nigeria’s internet growth challenge sparks demand for new policy direction

Telecom operators in Nigeria have renewed calls for a new broadband policy framework following the expiration of the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), saying the outgoing plan fell short of expectations in key areas.

Four months after the plan ended, industry stakeholders say the country needs a more practical and well-aligned roadmap to drive the next phase of digital infrastructure expansion.

They noted that while the plan set clear targets, its implementation was weak, particularly in infrastructure coordination and policy alignment across different levels of government.

Nigeria also failed to meet its 70 per cent broadband penetration target by the end of 2025. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows penetration stood at 51.97 per cent, leaving a significant portion of the population without access to high-speed internet.

President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, said broadband plans remain critical for guiding investment and aligning stakeholders but stressed that execution has been the major challenge.

He said the next policy must prioritise infrastructure rollout, ensure better coordination among government initiatives, and encourage stronger participation from local private sector players.

A telecom consultant, Adewale Adeoye, also emphasised the need for a new but more realistic plan, noting that many initiatives outlined in the previous framework were not implemented, which contributed to the failure to meet set targets.

Meanwhile, the NCC has indicated that work is already underway on a successor plan.

The commission said it is reviewing the performance of the previous framework and identifying areas for improvement to shape a more effective policy.

Despite some progress recorded under the expired plan, industry players said several structural challenges persist. These include difficulties in obtaining right-of-way approvals for fibre deployment, multiple taxation and hidden charges, high infrastructure costs, unreliable power supply, and limited incentives for operators to expand services to rural and underserved communities.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said some states continue to impose indirect levies despite officially waiving right-of-way fees, a situation that discourages investment and slows network expansion.

Operators, however, acknowledged emerging efforts such as Project BRIDGE and the Federal Government’s plan to deploy about 7,000 telecom towers to improve connectivity in underserved areas. They stressed that such initiatives must be integrated into a broader, coordinated national strategy.

The expired broadband plan also missed several other targets. Broadband penetration was projected to reach 50 per cent by 2023 but only achieved that level in 2025. Plans to establish a local smartphone assembly plant to reduce device costs were not realised, while smartphone prices have risen significantly, with entry-level devices now selling above ₦100,000.

In addition, only about 52.95 per cent of mobile subscriptions were on 4G as of December 2025, falling short of the 70 per cent target set in the plan.

Industry stakeholders maintain that Nigeria’s next broadband framework must go beyond policy design to focus on effective execution, with clear coordination across fibre, towers, funding, and regulatory processes.