Telecom
Over 19,000 Fibre Cuts Reported in 2025, NCC Calls for Infrastructure Protection
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called for urgent, inclusive action to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, describing connectivity as a national economic and security imperative.
Tunji Jimoh, Zonal Controller of the NCC Lagos Office
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Rural Connectivity Summit held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Maida emphasized that “the accurate measure of connectivity is not in megabits per second, but in the economic value it creates or loses.”
The summit, themed “Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potentials”, was organized by Business Metrics Limited.
Maida, represented by Mr. Tunji Jimoh, Controller of the NCC Lagos Office, spoke on the topic “Leaving Nobody Behind: Leveraging Regulatory Advantages to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital Divide.”
He noted that over 45 per cent of Nigeria’s population resides in rural areas, yet continues to face systemic exclusion from digital opportunities.
“A community without digital connectivity is functionally invisible, cut off from modern education, global markets, specialized healthcare, and opportunity,” Maida said. “This digital invisibility is an unacceptable situation that we must act decisively to end.”
Citing research, Maida said a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration can drive approximately 1.38 per cent GDP growth in developing economies. As of August 2025, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 48.81 per cent.
He also referenced Nigeria’s performance on the International Telecommunication Union’s ICT Development Index (IDI), where the country scored 52.9 in 2025, ranking 137th out of 164 economies — an improvement from 46.9 in 2024.
“Our IDI score reflects stronger performance in Meaningful Connectivity (68.7) than Universal Connectivity (37.1), highlighting gains in network coverage and affordability, but persistent gaps in Internet usage and household access,” he said.
Maida lamented the stark urban-rural divide, noting that while urban areas enjoy up to 57 per cent Internet access, rural communities lag at just 23 per cent. Cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt account for 75 to 80 per cent of total data usage.
To address these disparities, Maida outlined several NCC and Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) initiatives, including the Rural Broadband Initiative (RUBI) and Accelerated Mobile Phone Expansion (AMPE), which subsidize the deployment of Base Transceiver Stations and fibre backbone infrastructure.
He highlighted the USPF’s impact in education, citing over 2,500 projects and 100,000 computers delivered to schools nationwide.
A notable example is the Emerging Technologies Centre at Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), where over 9,000 students now access high-end computing resources.
“These students are developing innovations like drones for local agriculture,” Maida said.
In healthcare, the USPF’s E-Health Project connects rural primary health centres with larger hospitals for remote consultations, while the E-Accessibility Project deploys assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.
Maida also announced the launch of the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI) on October 9, 2025, which will provide an annual public scorecard measuring each state’s digital readiness.
“This index will foster competition and accountability among states,” he said.
He further emphasized the role of Community Networks in empowering local connectivity solutions. The NCC has partnered with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) under its LocNet Initiative to develop enabling frameworks, with a national strategy conference held in October 2024 and a policy workshop in June 2025.
“We are currently conducting a comprehensive study on Community Networks, with framework development scheduled for January 2026,” Maida revealed.
On infrastructure protection, Maida disclosed that the sector recorded 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 equipment thefts, and over 19,000 site access denials between January and August 2025.
He credited the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order, signed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024, for empowering law enforcement to combat vandalism.
He also praised the Telecommunications Industry Working Group and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for dismantling major cartels.
Regarding Right of Way (RoW) charges, Maida said 11 states now offer zero fees, while 17 others have capped charges at the N145 per linear metre benchmark. He also promoted “dig-once” policies to reduce deployment costs.
Maida acknowledged partnerships with operators like MTN, Airtel, Glo, and T2, as well as international bodies such as GSMA and the World Bank.
He cited the Wholesale Fibre Study and the Ease of Doing Business Portal, launched alongside the NDCI, as key tools for streamlining deployments.
Finally, Maida introduced the General Authorisation Framework (GAF), drafted in July 2025, which provides flexible pathways for market entry through Proof of Concept, Regulatory Sandbox, and Interim Service Authorisation.
“By reducing entry barriers, the GAF fosters disruptive solutions tailored to rural needs, such as satellite connectivity and low-cost 5G towers,” he said.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to co-create inclusive connectivity solutions and unlock Nigeria’s rural economic potential.
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to promote locally manufactured renewable energy technologies under the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First Policy’.
L-R: EVC/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun; and Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), at the signing of the MoU on implementation of Nigeria First Policy for offtake of NSSENI’s renewable energy products for rural electrification projects held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at BPP’s office in Abuja.
The agreement signing was facilitated by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun at the BPP headquarters in Abuja on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the Agency is focused on linking research, production, and commercialization to ensure that innovations are translated into market-ready products.
He said “NASENI would scale up renewable energy production, including solar panels and streetlights, through initiatives such as DefFrontier, to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce import dependence, adding that the Agency will meet the renewable energy requirements of REA.”
Instead of continuous importation of technologies, machines and equipment for producing renewable energy solutions, NASENI by this MoU will be committed to local manufacturing and domestication of the technologies, equipment and other ways and means of proliferation of renewable resource in the country and to increase the nation’s off-grid energy solutions.
The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the relationship with NASENI as a strategic partnership aimed at building Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem through local production and deployment.
He stated that “while NASENI provides the manufacturing and technological capacity for renewable equipment, REA will focus on deploying solutions to expand electricity across rural areas.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, said the Nigeria First Policy, exemplified by this agreement, is aimed at strengthening local content, ensuring value for money, and promoting accountability in public procurement.
He emphasized that implementation of the agreement will be performance-based, with strict monitoring to ensure compliance and measurable outcome. He added that the MoU is expected to deepen collaboration between NASENI and REA in expanding renewable energy and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
The MoU will be implemented through NASENI’s subsidiary company, NASENI Devfrontier Green Energy FZE and REA limited liability company, RAMco.The two Federal Government agencies seek to establish a strategic collaboration under which REA shall offtake PV modules, inverters, energy storage batteries of NASENI-Devfrontier Green Energy FZE directly or through its approved distribution companies/assembly and manufacturing factory.
As part of the agreement, REA shall provide institutional visibility to enable NASENI participate in electrification projects; facilitate opportunities for engagements between NASENI and eligible developers/contractors under REA programs; ensure that such facilitation is consistent with applicable procurement, local content, and transparency requirements; and also collaborate with NASENI in promoting standardized, high-quality PV technologies across its programme portfolio.
Telecom
TikTok, ICC Gather Nigeria’s Entrepreneurs to Drive Small Business Growth and Digital Transformation
TikTok, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), on Thursday convened hundreds of entrepreneurs, small business owners, digital creators and industry stakeholders in Lagos for a flagship Digital Commerce Labs (DCL) event aimed at accelerating digital skills development and economic inclusion across Sub-Saharan Africa.
TikTok
The event, supported by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), brought together participants from across Nigeria’s business and technology ecosystem to explore how digital platforms can be leveraged to scale enterprises, improve market access and drive job creation.
Speaking at the event, organisers said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader programme designed to train thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region in digital commerce skills through both online and physical learning platforms.
According to TikTok, the partnership reflects its commitment to supporting small businesses and strengthening Africa’s growing digital economy.
“Digital commerce is reshaping how businesses grow across Sub-Saharan Africa, and Nigerian entrepreneurs are at the heart of that shift,” said Tokunbo Ibrahim, Acting Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok.
He said the initiative would ensure that small businesses benefit from emerging opportunities in social commerce and digital trade.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said digital platforms have evolved beyond entertainment and are now key drivers of economic growth and innovation.
He noted that Nigeria’s youth population and growing digital adoption position the country to benefit significantly from the expansion of online commerce and creator-led businesses.
“At NITDA, our vision is to make Nigeria a digitally enabled nation, fostering inclusive economic development through technological innovation,” he said.
The ICC Deputy Secretary General, Julian Kassum, described the programme as a strategic effort to equip small businesses with tools needed to compete in the global digital economy.
He said the Digital Commerce Labs initiative would help expand opportunities for trade, entrepreneurship and employment.
The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) also announced support for the programme through capacity-building training in financial literacy, business structuring, record keeping, taxation and legal advisory services. It said participating businesses would gain access to funding opportunities after completing the programme.
Data presented at the event showed that Nigeria’s social commerce sector is projected to reach $2.04 billion in 2025 and nearly $4 billion by 2030, while Africa’s wider market is expected to grow to $9.43 billion within the same period.
Speakers at the event noted that social media platforms have become central to business growth in Nigeria, with many SMEs relying exclusively on digital channels to reach customers and drive sales.
The programme also featured keynote presentations, business training sessions, and a creator economy spotlight where Nigerian entrepreneurs shared experiences on building brands and scaling businesses through digital platforms such as TikTok.
Organisers said the initiative is expected to strengthen digital literacy, expand market access for SMEs, and deepen Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and TikTok have launched a strategic partnership aimed at equipping Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with digital commerce skills, tools, and opportunities to compete effectively in the digital economy.
NITDA
The partnership was unveiled at the launch of the TikTok Digital Commerce Labs Programme for SMEs, held in Lagos, where stakeholders from government, the private sector, entrepreneurship support organisations, and the digital ecosystem gathered to explore innovative pathways for empowering Nigerian businesses through technology.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, represent at the event by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, described digital commerce as one of the most powerful drivers of economic inclusion and business growth in the modern economy, noting that access to digital skills has become increasingly critical for the survival and competitiveness of businesses.
According to the NITDA boss, the future of commerce is increasingly digital, and entrepreneurs who embrace technology will be better positioned to access larger markets, increase productivity, and create sustainable wealth.
He observed that while Nigeria is blessed with millions of hardworking and innovative entrepreneurs, many small businesses still lack the digital capabilities required to fully participate in the opportunities offered by the digital economy.
“Today, a young entrepreneur with a smartphone can reach customers beyond geographical boundaries, build a brand, market products globally, and create economic opportunities that were previously unimaginable. Our responsibility is to ensure that every entrepreneur, regardless of location, has access to the digital skills and tools needed to succeed in this new economy,” he said.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a collaborative programme between NITDA and TikTok designed to extend digital commerce training to SMEs across the country.
As part of the initiative, TikTok has committed an initial investment of approximately US$20,000 to support a pilot Train-the-Trainer Programme, which will leverage NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) networks to deliver digital commerce training to entrepreneurs, particularly those in remote and underserved communities.
Inuwa commended TikTok for its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and digital inclusion in Nigeria, describing the initiative as a practical example of how technology platforms can contribute meaningfully to economic empowerment and national development.
He noted that the collaboration aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), particularly the Agency’s commitment to achieving widespread digital literacy, promoting innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The DG stressed that technology should not merely be viewed as a tool for communication and entertainment but as a platform for creating opportunities, generating income, and transforming lives.
“Technology is most powerful when it empowers the least connected, creates opportunities for the underserved, and transforms potential into prosperity,” he stated.
Industry stakeholders at the event described the initiative as timely, especially at a period when businesses are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to connect with customers, expand operations, and access new markets.
The TikTok Digital Commerce Labs Programme is expected to strengthen digital capabilities among SMEs, improve access to digital opportunities, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy by enabling entrepreneurs to harness the power of technology for business development.
The launch reinforces NITDA’s vision to building a digitally empowered Nation fostering inclusive economic development through technological innovation where individuals, startups, and businesses can leverage technology to create value, generate employment, and contribute to national prosperity.
As Nigeria continues its journey towards becoming a leading digital economy in Africa, collaborations such as the NITDA-TikTok partnership are expected to play a significant role in empowering citizens, fostering innovation, and expanding economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
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