The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to introduce a first-of-its-kind Digital Connectivity Index that will rank all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on their broadband readiness and digital infrastructure performance.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, is part of the telecom regulator’s broader push to drive investment, accountability, and uniformity across Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed the plan during the Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure held in Abuja. The event brought together governors, state officials, operators, investors, and development partners to explore strategies for expanding broadband coverage and protecting critical telecom infrastructure.
“The Digital Connectivity Index will provide a transparent, state-by-state scorecard that measures each state’s readiness and competitiveness in the digital economy,” Maida said. “This tool will ensure accountability, drive investment, and encourage states to adopt pro-investment policies that expand connectivity and empower citizens.”
The index aims to spotlight the wide gap between urban and rural connectivity, which experts say is slowing Nigeria’s economic growth. While major cities enjoy relatively high-speed internet, many rural communities remain underserved, affecting access to education, healthcare, and commerce.
The Index will assess key factors such as the adoption of right-of-way (RoW) waivers, protection of telecom infrastructure, ease of regulatory approvals, coordination between state agencies and operators, and the facilitation of energy resilience for network sites.
Maida explained that states embracing full RoW waivers, transparent permitting processes, and active public-private partnerships would likely rank higher, while states with bureaucratic obstacles or inconsistent policies may fall behind. “This is not just a report card,” he said. “It is a roadmap. States that align with pro-investment policies will attract more operators, expand their fibre networks faster, and create greater opportunities for their citizens. States that delay risk being left behind in Nigeria’s digital revolution.”
The Digital Connectivity Index will complement the NCC’s Ease of Doing Business Portal, a new platform designed to give operators and investors a one-stop resource for broadband approvals, RoW applications, and regulatory information across all states.
Maida stressed that policy alignment at the state level remains critical to investment decisions. “In states that have waived RoW charges and protected telecom infrastructure, operators are expanding networks with confidence,” he said. “This proves that enabling policies directly impact investment decisions and ultimately the quality of services available to citizens.”
The first edition of the Index is expected to be published later this year and will be updated annually to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.
Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 48.81 percent as of August 2025, with over 140 million people connected to the internet. The ICT and telecom sector remains one of the country’s top contributors to GDP, underscoring the strategic importance of expanding broadband access nationwide.
The launch of the Digital Connectivity Index comes as digital demand continues to rise, with rural communities still facing infrastructure bottlenecks, high deployment costs, and uneven state policies that affect network expansion.
