Nigeria’s telecom sector suffered more than 40,000 cases of disruptions in the first eight months of 2025, dealing a heavy blow to broadband expansion and service delivery across the country.

Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), disclosed the figure at the Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure, held at the NCC Digital Economy Complex in Abuja.

According to him, the disruptions comprising 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 cases of equipment theft, and over 19,000 denials of access to telecom sites have resulted in prolonged outages, significant revenue losses, increased security costs, and delays in restoring services for millions of users.

“These incidents demonstrate why infrastructure protection must remain at the centre of our collective agenda. Without it, Nigeria risks stalling its broadband ambitions,” Maida said.

The EVC noted that broadband expansion is further slowed by fragmented and unpredictable Right of Way (RoW) policies across states, which create delays and cost uncertainties for operators

He added that inconsistent enforcement of infrastructure protection, weak coordination with road authorities, poor construction planning, energy supply volatility, multiple taxation, and bureaucratic permitting processes are compounding the sector’s challenges.

Despite these hurdles, Maida stressed the vital role of broadband in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.

As of August 2025, broadband penetration stood at 48.81 percent, with more than 140 million Nigerians connected to the internet.

said research indicates that a 10 percent rise in broadband penetration could add about 1.38 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Broadband access transforms local markets into global ones, expands opportunities for our youth, and turns state economies into innovation-driven ecosystems. If countries like Rwanda and India have leveraged broadband to reposition their economies, Nigeria with its young and vibrant population can do even more if we provide reliable and affordable high-speed connectivity,” he said.

Maida reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), which targets 70 percent broadband penetration and the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure by the end of 2025.

He highlighted several interventions already undertaken by the Commission to address the challenges confronting broadband infrastructure.

One of the most significant, he said, was the signing of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2024.

The directive, which empowers law enforcement agencies to act decisively against vandalism and theft of telecom assets, has been operationalised by the NCC in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). This has led to the enforcement of security standards across sites as well as the prosecution of offenders, with ONSA dismantling major cartels behind equipment theft in recent years.

On Right of Way (RoW) charges, Maida noted that progress is being made through sustained advocacy with state governments.

Eleven states now waive RoW fees entirely, while 17 others have capped the rates at the agreed N145 per linear metre.

In the past two years alone, Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, and Zamfara joined the list of states eliminating RoW charges, creating a more enabling environment for operators to expand network infrastructure.

The NCC has also worked to strengthen investor confidence in the sector.

Earlier in 2025, the Commission approved cost-reflective but competitive tariff rates, a regulatory intervention that has already unlocked new commitments of over $1 billion in broadband investments by operators to extend coverage and capacity nationwide.

Beyond policy and regulatory measures, the Commission has embarked on broad public awareness initiatives designed to mobilise communities in safeguarding telecom facilities.

These campaigns, running across radio, television, social media, and local engagement programmes, aim to ensure citizens understand the importance of protecting infrastructure that underpins the country’s connectivity and economic growth.

Despite these efforts, Maida cautioned that the sector remains vulnerable without collective action. He urged state governors to adopt uniform RoW policies, protect infrastructure, and establish clear permitting procedures, warning that delays in policy alignment could leave Nigeria behind in the global digital race.

“In earlier times, a community without electricity or railways could still survive. But today, a community without digital connectivity is invisible, cut off from education, healthcare, markets, and opportunities. We must act decisively—state by state, community by community to ensure no one is left behind” he said.

Nigeria’s top YouTube creators and leading brands have joined forces to explore a new frontier in marketing through PluggedIn, a collaborative initiative launched by Woof Studios and YouTube.

The programme aims to move beyond traditional advertising by fostering deep, community-driven partnerships between creators and brands. This approach is designed to unlock more authentic engagement with Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital audience.

According to YouTube, watch time in Nigeria has surged by over 50 percent year-on-year, with the platform now reaching more than 30 million adults monthly.

At the PluggedIn event, creators and brands participated in quick pitches, one-on-one meetings, and practical sessions focused on turning creative ideas into full-scale productions. The goal is to spark collaborations that evolve from single videos into fan-favorite series.

Ifeyinwa Mogekwu, creator of Ify’s Kitchen, shared her excitement about the initiative: “My community loves food, but they also love the stories behind the food. PluggedIn is helping us start the right conversations with brands who understand that our viewers want quality content, not just a quick ad.”

Adetutu Laditan, Founder and Creative Director at Woof Studios, emphasized the importance of supporting creators with business and production infrastructure.

“Nigerian creators are thinking bigger, and that’s exactly what brands want to be part of,” she said.

Dammy Abodunrin, Industry Manager at Google, noted that YouTube plays a key role in consumer discovery, with two-thirds of users engaging with the platform when exploring new brands or products.

“Consumers are in full control, and they choose to spend their time with creators they trust. PluggedIn was designed to foster these powerful connections,” he said.

A recent survey revealed that 9 in 10 Nigerian creators believe YouTube is a powerful platform not only for sharing culture but also for building sustainable businesses, signaling a strong future for community-centric marketing.

Over 120 female tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria are set to benefit from a three-day virtual accelerator programme aimed at boosting early-stage startups led by women.

The initiative, known as the Foundry for HER Bootcamp, is powered by the Aurora Tech Award in partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd. It will run from Oct. 15 to 17, 2025.

The bootcamp is designed to equip women founders with practical tools, expert mentorship, and investor-readiness strategies to help them scale their businesses and overcome common startup challenges.

Speaking on the programme, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award, said the bootcamp reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting bold women founders in emerging markets.

“Nigeria has already proven itself on the global stage through our past winners, and with the Foundry for HER Bootcamp, we’re doubling down, giving early-stage founders the tools, network, and visibility to compete at the highest level,” she said.

The Aurora Tech Award is a global prize established by inDrive to recognise and support women entrepreneurs in IT.

According to organisers, the bootcamp will feature masterclasses led by seasoned investors and ecosystem builders, covering topics such as fundraising, pitching, and market expansion.

Following high interest from women founders across the country, the deadline for applications has been extended to Oct. 9, 2025.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that nearly 46 per cent of small businesses in Nigeria do not survive past three years, with women founders facing additional barriers to capital and visibility.

Research by African Future Leadership indicates that over 60 per cent of Nigerian startups fail within their first two years, primarily due to leadership shortcomings.

The Foundry for HER Bootcamp aims to reverse this trend by offering targeted support to women-led startups during their most critical growth phase.

Apply for the bootcamp: https://lnkd.in/epURQ68Y

For Aurora Tech Award: https://lnkd.in/dXsbmqZv