Nigeria’s Digital Divide Widens as Fibre Rollout Faces Setbacks

Nigeria’s aspiration to bridge its digital divide through a massive 90,000km fibre optic cable deployment is facing significant headwinds, primarily due to obstacles posed by state governments. Industry stakeholders have raised alarm over the detrimental impact of exorbitant Right of Way (RoW) charges, multiple taxation, and bureaucratic hurdles on the project’s progress.

The concerns were highlighted during the Sixth Edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) in Lagos, where experts emphasized the urgent need for a harmonized approach to fibre deployment to avoid further exacerbating the country’s digital inequality.

Chidi Ibisi, Executive Director of Broadbased Communications, pointed to the critical role of addressing high RoW costs, vandalism, and infrastructure damage in ensuring the success of the government’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) initiative. Without a concerted effort to tackle these challenges, the country risks falling behind in its digital transformation journey.

Echoing these sentiments, Chidi Ajuzie, Group Chief Operating Officer of WTES Projects Limited, described the chaotic situation on the ground, where telecom operators often face extortionate demands from various parties claiming ownership of the right of way. This rampant informal RoW system has created a significant bottleneck for fibre cable laying and is hindering the expansion of broadband services.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), called on state governments to adopt a more supportive stance towards the telecom industry. He criticized the practice of viewing telecom operators as revenue sources, urging them to recognize the vital role they play in driving economic growth and development.

Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centre, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement and learning from past mistakes to ensure the success of the fibre project. He stressed the need for a focus on delivering meaningful broadband services rather than merely achieving high speeds.

The convener of PIAFo, Omobayo Azeez, highlighted the forum’s role in fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenges hindering Nigeria’s digital progress.

Unless these obstacles are swiftly addressed, experts warn that Nigeria’s digital divide will continue to widen, leaving millions of citizens without access to the opportunities and benefits of the digital age. The success of the 90,000km fibre optic project hinges on a collaborative effort between the federal government, state governments, and the private sector to create a conducive environment for fibre deployment.