Business
By Anthony Isibor
THE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has identified fibre infrastructure expansion as a critical requirement for meeting Nigeria’s rapidly growing data demand, warning that reliance on mobile internet connectivity is placing increasing pressure on network performance.
This position was outlined in a communiqué issued after the 109th meeting of the NCC Governing Board held on May 25, 2026.
The Board reviewed data consumption trends and observed that while the demand for internet services continues to rise sharply, growth has been constrained by limited infrastructure capacity, duplication of network assets and heavy dependence on mobile broadband services.
According to the Commission, Fibre-to-the-Home, FTTH, subscriptions recorded significant growth, increasing from 84,141 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 210,065 subscribers by the fifth quarter of 2025.
The NCC said the increase reflected growing consumer adoption of fixed broadband services despite the relatively low number of connections compared with national demand.
The Board noted that expanding FTTH and other fixed-fibre connections would help reduce congestion on mobile networks, improve service quality and provide consumers with more connectivity options.
As part of its strategy, the Commission is reviewing the structure of Nigeria’s telecommunications market to better reflect the evolving roles of wholesale and retail operators.
The Board stated that broader access to wholesale backbone fibre infrastructure, combined with the expansion of metropolitan fibre networks, would make it easier for homes, businesses and institutions to access fixed broadband services.
According to the Commission, improved fibre penetration is expected to reduce underlying connectivity costs, support more affordable retail data services and strengthen network resilience over the long term.
The NCC stated that the approach aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and supports the country’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly identified inadequate fibre infrastructure as a major barrier to affordable and reliable broadband access, particularly outside major urban centres.
The Commission said that continued investment in fixed broadband infrastructure would be central to meeting Nigeria’s connectivity needs over the next decade.
A.I
June 10, 2026
Tags: fibre expansion NCC