Telecom operators are ramping up calls for a new national broadband policy, four months after the expiration of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020–2025, which fell short of its key targets.
Industry stakeholders say the country now needs a more practical and execution-driven roadmap to accelerate digital infrastructure expansion and close persistent connectivity gaps.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that broadband penetration stood at 51.97% at the end of the five-year plan in December 2025, significantly below the 70% target.
Speaking on the development, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Tony Emoekpere, said while broadband plans remain essential for guiding investment and coordination, Nigeria’s main challenge has been execution.
He noted that the next policy must prioritise infrastructure rollout, stronger alignment across government levels, and deeper private sector participation.
Similarly, telecom consultant Adewale Adeoye said many initiatives outlined in the previous plan were not implemented, contributing to the missed targets.
The NCC, however, confirmed that work is already underway on a successor framework. Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, said the regulator is reviewing the performance of the outgoing plan to inform a more effective strategy.
The NNBP 2020–2025 was designed to improve broadband access, reduce connectivity gaps, and support Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions. While it recorded some progress, operators say structural challenges—such as right-of-way bottlenecks, multiple taxation, high deployment costs, and unreliable power supply—continued to hinder full implementation.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, also highlighted inconsistent state-level charges and hidden levies as key barriers slowing fibre rollout and discouraging investment.
