Telecom
Nigeria to Seek Re-election into ITU Elective Positions
Federal government says Nigeria will be presenting itself for re-election into the Administrative Council seat of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) at the upcoming election of the union to be held at its 2018 Plenipotentiary Conference to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirate in October/November this year.
Barr. Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, disclosed this while declaring open the second African Preparatory Meeting (APM) for ITU 2018 Plenipoterntiary Conference (PP-18) which is going on in Abuja.
The minister also disclosed that Nigeria will be presenting Mr. Williams Ijeh for election as Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU during the conference in the UAE and solicited for the support of the ITU member states for Nigeria.
Shittu therefore, charged the participants at the meeting to come up with quality decisions that will immensely benefit the African region and the world at large.
‘‘It is my believe that this meeting will enable member states come up with preliminary positions on agendas for the PP-18.
I am happy that the African Region has deemed it fit to prepare for this important conference, which will make member states put their heads together to fight a common cause. I will us all not to under estimate the importance of these preparations.
‘‘I am pleased to inform you that Nigeria will be presenting itself for re-election into the Administrative Council seat as well as presenting Mr. Williams for election during the ITU conference in Dubai. I wish to seek your unflinching support for Nigeria twin candidates,’’ he added.
The ITU Plepotentiary conference is the key event at which ITU member states decide on the future role of the organization thereby determining the organization’s ability to influence and effect the development of telecommunications/ICT worldwide.
The Plenipotentiary conference is also the top policy-making body of the ITU held every four years, setting the union’s general policies; adopts four-year strategic and financial plans and elect the senior management team of the organizations, the member s of Council and the members of the Radio Regulation Board (RRB).
In his remarks, the Secretary General of ITU, Houlin Zhao, urged African nations to work together in leveraging ICT to develop the continent. He expressed hope that Africa will soon emerge a global champion in the innovation and use of emerging technologies.
‘‘We must work to use ICT to transform Africa by making ICT a useful tool, to help us achieve each and every UN SDGs. The future of our lives is strongly affected by emerging technologies. I am pleased to note that ICT, innovations will be launched by African engineers and innovators.
‘‘We will in this meeting see how we will use ICT work out the future of African continent. I am much confident that in the nearest future, Africa will begin to enjoy the same socio-economic life like any other continent enjoys.
‘‘We want to see ICT made in Africa and use in Africa. Africa has contributed to global ICT global technological services and development.’’
Earlier in his address, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the importance of the gathering cannot be understated when considering the ITU Framework and Plenipotentiary process.
The EVC stated that Nigeria sees the work of ITU as integral to the development of ICT in Africa and in tune with its focus of achieving ubiquitous Broadband deployment that will in turn lead to sustainable socio-economic development of its citizenry, stressing that the challenges posed by the development of new technologies cannot be over emphasized as the benefits far outstrip whatever risks we may face.
‘‘This meeting sets the tone for our gathering here and I am confident that the deliberations that will take place in the next 3 days will further enhance Africa’s common position at PP-18.
It pleases me to note that Nigeria, beyond being your host, will be a very active participant at this meeting as we have submitted a number of proposals for your consideration.
‘‘Nigeria sees the work of ITU as integral to the development of ICT in Africa and in tune with its focus of achieving ubiquitous Broadband deployment that will in turn lead to sustainable socio-economic development of its citizenry.
This we believe can only be achieved through continued and deepened partnerships of which the ITU provides the most ideal platform.
‘‘Nigeria has witnessed phenomenal growth in its ICT sector and acknowledges the support of the ITU in the country’s ICT evolution. Nigeria has been a long standing member of the ITU council and has always seen itself as a flag bearer for the interest of Africa and other developing Nations as a whole.
‘‘To this end, and with your support we wish to continue the good work we have been doing over the past decades.
The presence of the ITU Secretary General signifies the importance accorded to Africa within the ITU.’’ Prof. Danbatta urged participants to harness their expertise and experiences from previous meetings to overcome their differences.
He also urged them to put together and synthesize well-articulated and impactful common proposals that will ensure Africa’s participation at PP-18 produces the necessary strategies to ensure the digital divide in the continent is significantly reduced with Africa not just being a major consumer of technology but a producer as well.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has thrown its weight behind the upcoming Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 7.0), confirming its role as the headline keynote speaker for the Lagos event.
Over the years, the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF) has evolved into a landmark industry convergence platform and an actionable catalyst for policy alignment, driving critical dialogue around the regulatory, economic, and infrastructural frameworks required to sustain Nigeria’s digital economy.
Taking place on 16th September, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State, the seventh edition of the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 7.0), organised under the aegis of Business Remarks, will bring together key stakeholders driving the next phase of Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital growth.
Themed “Rethinking Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure Strategy to Attract Investment and Drive Innovation”, TSSF 7.0 will address some of the sector’s most pressing priorities, such as policies, digital infrastructure expansion, digital inclusion, good connectivity, partnerships and investments needed to accelerate Nigeria’s next wave of innovations, digital transformation and economic growth.
Organised by Business Remarks, the forum has consistently brought together policymakers, mobile network operators (MNOs), infrastructure providers, data centre operators, policy advocates and financial technology stakeholders to dissect the pressing challenges facing the telecommunications ecosystem and chart a sustainable path forward.
Past editions have successfully addressed pivotal industry shifts, ranging from broadband penetration strategies, human capital flight, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) sustainability and infrastructure deficit funding to the operational integration of emerging technologies. By providing a neutral, high-level platform where regulators like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) can interface directly with private sector players, the forum plays a vital role in ensuring that regulatory frameworks evolve in tandem with market realities.
Speaking about the event, the Convener, Bukola Olanrewaju, said the Nigerian telecoms sector investment has grown to $75.6 billion as of 2025, with a planned investment of over $1.38 billion in network capacity upgrades in 2026 targeted to enhance infrastructure resilience, boost coverage and improve quality of service for subscribers nationwide.
“As the industry faces a new frontier defined by deepening 5G and 4G penetration, expanding fibre optic networks, and complex macroeconomic pressures, the need to meet the growing demands for digital services while remaining profitable has become the defining challenge of the modern telecommunications landscape.”
At a time when investment in connectivity, subsea cables, fibre networks, data centres, cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity is reshaping the country’s digital landscape, TSSF remains a vanguard of thought leadership and industry engagement, fostering the public-private collaborations necessary to safeguard the backbone of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting efficient broadband infrastructure deployment in Nigeria through collaborative implementation of the Dig Once Policy.
L-R: Prof. Olalekan Yinusa, Executive Director, Policy, Strategy and Research, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Dr. Helen Aderibigbe Adeniyi, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, Kogi State, during the 2nd Stakeholders ‘ Consultative Forum on the Study to Develop a Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Duct Built Under The Dig-Once Policy in Nigeria, on the 8th July 2026, at the NCC Annex Office Mbora Abuja.
The Commission gave the assurance at the Second Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum to Develop a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts Built Under the Dig Once Policy in Nigeria, held at the NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The forum brought together representatives of federal and state government institutions, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, industry associations, development partners and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the interim findings of the study and provide input towards the development of a transparent, equitable and cost-based framework for sharing underground duct infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, NCC’s Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Mr Ayuba Shuaibu, said the consultative engagement underscored the Commission’s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process that accommodates the interests of infrastructure providers, network operators, public institutions and consumers.
Shuaibu noted that the proposed framework is intended to encourage infrastructure sharing, improve asset utilisation, reduce the cost of broadband deployment and facilitate the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
According to him, the study is designed to establish a fair and transparent pricing mechanism for sharing underground ducts deployed under Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy, which encourages the installation of telecommunications ducts during road construction and rehabilitation projects. He explained that this would enable future fibre deployments without repeated road excavations.
“The Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process. Our objective is to arrive at a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and, ultimately, consumers, while also encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure.
“We encourage frank, constructive and solution-oriented contributions that will strengthen the final outcomes of this study,” Shuaibu said.
He added that observations, recommendations and contributions received from stakeholders during the consultation would be reviewed and incorporated into the final study report to ensure that the resulting framework is practical, commercially sustainable and responsive to industry realities.
Delivering the keynote presentation, the consultant, Mr Olugbenga Olabiyi, Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited, observed that passive infrastructure, including ducts, conduits, manholes and related facilities, constitutes one of the most capital-intensive components of broadband network deployment globally.
He said infrastructure sharing had emerged as an effective strategy for reducing deployment costs, improving efficiency and accelerating broadband expansion.
Olabiyi stated that Nigeria’s adoption of the Dig Once Policy presents an important opportunity to strengthen coordinated infrastructure deployment, minimise avoidable road excavations, improve utilisation of existing infrastructure and support broader broadband access across the country.
He also emphasised the importance of developing a predictable, transparent and equitable access framework, noting that inconsistent pricing models and unclear access conditions could undermine investment incentives and limit the benefits of infrastructure sharing.
“For Nigeria, where broadband expansion remains a national priority under the National Broadband Plan, successful implementation of the Dig Once Policy could become one of the most impactful infrastructure reforms in our telecommunications history.
“However, infrastructure sharing succeeds only when access is governed by fairness, transparency, predictability and effective market oversight.
“Without an equitable access framework, owners of shared infrastructure may inadvertently or deliberately create barriers to entry through excessive pricing, restrictive commercial conditions or discriminatory access practices. Such outcomes would undermine the objectives of the Dig Once initiative and discourage investment rather than promote it.
“This is why the NCC’s initiative to develop a cost-based pricing framework deserves commendation. A transparent and objective pricing methodology will provide confidence to investors, infrastructure companies, mobile network operators, Internet Service Providers, fibre operators and all participants within the communications ecosystem,” he said.
Participants at the forum reviewed the interim findings and provided recommendations on the proposed pricing methodology, implementation considerations and cost elements. Discussions focused on ensuring that the policy supports efficient infrastructure deployment while balancing the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and consumers.
The stakeholder consultation builds on earlier engagements conducted by the Commission on the study. It also aligns with the NCC’s commitment to implementing regulatory initiatives that promote broadband expansion, encourage infrastructure sharing and advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
MTN Nigeria is accelerating investments in network expansion and modernization to address rising demand for mobile and data services across the country.
The operator is deploying additional base stations, upgrading existing infrastructure, and expanding fiber connectivity to improve network capacity, coverage, and service quality.
The investments are designed to support increasing smartphone adoption, higher data consumption, and the growing use of digital services by consumers and businesses.
MTN said the expansion aligns with its long-term strategy to enhance customer experience while strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The company expects the ongoing upgrades to improve connectivity, support economic growth, and enable broader access to reliable telecommunications services as demand for high-speed broadband continues to increase.
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