THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for an urgent boost in infrastructure funding following a massive 47 per cent year-on-year surge in national mobile data consumption.
Speaking at the debut Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum, NCC Chief Executive Dr Aminu Maida disclosed that internet users consumed 1.66 million terabytes of data this past July, up from 1.13 million terabytes during the same period last year.
Maida warned that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure requires urgent, sustained funding to keep up with skyrocketing demand. He pointed out that millions of everyday Nigerians — from students and traders to corporate businesses — now depend completely on stable internet access.
The NCC boss noted that the pressure on Nigeria’s digital networks has intensified significantly. He emphasised that the rapid integration of cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI) will increasingly tether the nation’s economy to the strength of its digital infrastructure.
According to Maida, “Today’s digital networks are facing unprecedented pressure. As cloud computing and artificial intelligence become deeply embedded in daily operations, Nigeria’s reliance on a resilient technological foundation is set to deepen even further.”
Speaking at an industry forum marking 25 years of GSM in Nigeria, Maida emphasised that foundational regulatory reforms broke the decades-long monopoly of state-owned entities and turned mobile communication into an everyday utility for millions.
He explained that policy reforms and investor confidence catalysed private sector expansion, allowing operators to build networks that “fundamentally changed how Nigerians communicate and created new economic opportunities.”
“The experience serves as a timely blueprint for the country’s current push to attract new capital, expand its digital footprint, and improve network infrastructure,” Maida said.
The NCC boss pledged that the regulator will keep balancing the need for massive telecom investment with consumer protection and fair competition.
Maida pointed to recent government interventions aimed at polishing the country’s investment climate.
Specifically, he credited the 2025 telecommunications tariff adjustment with relieving the intense financial strain on service providers, a move he says has directly strengthened their capacity to reinvest in the sector.
The NCC boss lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent policy designating telecom networks as Critical National Information Infrastructure, arguing that the framework significantly tightens the security around vulnerable assets.
To bring down the heavy financial burden of deploying telecom infrastructure, the NCC is working closely with state governments to resolve lingering Right of Way challenges, he disclosed.
To ensure more effective oversight, the NCC is shifting towards a data-driven regulatory model. Maida stated that the commission now relies heavily on empirical evidence and data analytics to guide its regulatory decisions. According to the NCC boss, this analytical approach not only strengthens policy frameworks but also helps the commission pinpoint high-growth investment opportunities within the telecommunications sector.
Through its partnership with Swedfund and Ookla, the NCC is gaining a clearer, independent view of what Nigerian internet users actually experience. By matching network-performance data with market trends, the commission aims to pinpoint underserved communities and flag where infrastructure investment is lagging.
Maida emphasised that the network performance reports issued by the Commission serve a dual purpose by also making critical connectivity data available to potential investors.
Attention also turned to the NCC’s Consumer Data Lab, a collaborative project with Innovations for Poverty Action.
The new dashboard combines Ookla performance data, consumer complaints and network intervention records. This allows the Commission to pinpoint and analyse service disruptions by specific locations and demographic groups.
The NCC boss explained that the system measures the real-world impact of network fixes on consumers, making it easier for regulators to identify where upgrades are still lacking.
To bridge the country’s infrastructure gaps, the two-day investment forum is pushing stakeholders to finalise actionable blueprints. Discussions are centred on identifying viable connectivity opportunities across Nigeria and establishing the robust financing models needed to get these projects off the ground.
Maida stated that not all projects are immediately bankable; some will require shared infrastructure, development finance, or better preparation to draw in commercial investors.
He urged investors, regulators and stakeholders to use the forum to pinpoint market barriers, question old assumptions and build practical solutions.
The NCC boss called on attendees to pitch their priority projects while explicitly detailing the obstacles delaying their progress.
Speaking on “Connectivity as the Engine of Nigeria’s Growth,” Maida argued that building infrastructure is only half the battle. According to him, the ultimate metric of success lies in transforming enhanced connectivity into tangible economic empowerment and social advancements for everyday Nigerians.
Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity for daily life, he noted, pointing out its direct impact on how citizens earn a living, access education, conduct business and utilise essential services.
According to Maida, Nigeria’s next phase of growth will ultimately “depend on how well we connect our people and businesses.” To achieve this, he pressed stakeholders to leverage the forum’s insights, demanding concrete actions rather than passive discussion to move investment opportunities forward.
Ultimately, the inaugural Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum has set the stage for what comes next, uniting policymakers, investors and tech leaders to secure the vital funding needed to build the nation’s next-generation digital infrastructure.
