ipNX Nigeria has joined key stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector to call for stronger collaboration, improved infrastructure standards and greater protection of fibre networks as the country seeks to accelerate broadband connectivity.
The call was made at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos.
The forum, themed ‘Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment,’ brought together telecommunications operators, regulators, government agencies, infrastructure providers, industry associations and media representatives to examine barriers to fibre deployment and explore ways to support Nigeria’s broadband ambitions.
Delivering the keynote address virtually, Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), described FTTH as a critical component of Nigeria’s digital future.
According to Maida, rising data demand makes reliable fibre infrastructure important to businesses, the digital economy and citizens.
‘FTTH is uniquely positioned to meet Nigerians’ next phase of data demand. The quality of our broadband will increasingly shape the competitiveness of our businesses, the growth of our digital industry and the opportunities available to our citizens,’ he said.
He also called for greater protection of telecommunications infrastructure, warning that damage to fibre networks could have significant economic consequences.
‘We must uphold deployment standards. Nigeria needs fibre that is properly installed, properly documented, and properly protected,’ Maida said.
Tony Emoekpere, ATCON President, said FTTH would play a critical role in helping Nigeria achieve broader broadband penetration, while urging communities and the public to treat telecommunications infrastructure as critical national assets.
He compared the protection of communications infrastructure with the public response to damage to electricity infrastructure, arguing that similar attention should be given to fibre networks.
‘When we see people damaging fibre cables, we should raise an alarm,’ he said.
The forum also examined infrastructure management at the state level, with Adebayo Akande, the director-general of the Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency (OYSIMCA), highlighting efforts to address fibre theft and vandalism.
Akande advocated the use of shared pole infrastructure by operators along common routes, saying the approach could reduce unnecessary duplication, minimise damage and optimise infrastructure investment.
Eghosa Urhoghide, managing director of the Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), called for stronger coordination between telecom operators, regulators, government institutions, road maintenance agencies and host communities.
Representing ipNX on a panel focused on ‘Policy, Governance and Regulatory Alignment,’ Segun Okuneye, deputy director, Strategic Business Initiatives, said sustainable fibre deployment would require more than capital investment and technological capacity.
He identified policy consistency, regulatory alignment, infrastructure protection and cooperation among stakeholders as critical to expanding fibre connectivity across Nigeria.
‘Achieving universal fibre connectivity requires more than deploying infrastructure; it requires sustained collaboration between operators, regulators, government agencies and host communities,’ Okuneye said.
He added that consistent enforcement of deployment standards and protection of critical infrastructure would help create a more predictable environment for investment while expanding access to high-speed broadband.
The discussions also highlighted persistent challenges facing fibre deployment in Nigeria, including vandalism, right-of-way difficulties, inconsistent deployment practices, duplication of infrastructure and limited public awareness of the importance of telecommunications networks.
Stakeholders agreed that addressing these challenges would require coordinated action across government, regulators, operators and communities.
The forum concluded with calls for stronger industry standards, increased infrastructure sharing, improved policy implementation and greater public awareness of the need to protect fibre networks.
For ipNX, the engagement reinforces its position on collaborative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure and support the country’s transition towards a more connected digital economy.