The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased public and private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate broadband expansion, improve service quality, and support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call at the opening of the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum organised by the Commission in collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla in Abuja.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the NCC Chief Executive said the forum was designed to provide a strategic platform for fostering dialogue between regulators, investors, infrastructure providers, and development partners to examine the investment requirements needed to expand connectivity, identify barriers to infrastructure deployment, and explore partnerships capable of accelerating digital transformation and economic development with the overarching objective of mobilising investments that will improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the quality of life of Nigerians.
Dr. Maida said that Nigeria’s telecommunications success story over the last twenty-five years demonstrates the transformative impact of sound policy, transparent regulation and investor confidence while noting that the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector and the introduction of transparent licensing processes encouraged private sector participation, leading to unprecedented growth in connectivity and communications services across the country.
The EVC/CEO observed that the demand for reliable digital connectivity continues to rise as individuals, businesses, educational institutions and public services increasingly depend on broadband-enabled technologies to function effectively, adding that the growing adoption of cloud-based services, digital platforms and Artificial Intelligence applications will further increase the need for robust and resilient telecommunications infrastructure.
He commended Swedfund and Ookla for their strategic partnership and contributions toward the successful organisation of the forum, noting that both organisations have played critical roles in supporting the Commission’s efforts to deepen data-driven decision-making and improve understanding of connectivity realities across Nigeria.
According to him, the collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla provides independent insights into the actual connectivity experience of consumers and supports the Commission’s efforts to identify service gaps, monitor network performance and assess areas requiring additional investment.
He explained that data generated through the partnership is being integrated with other markets and network information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of infrastructure needs and investment opportunities across the country.
While delivering her keynote address which focused on “Connectivity and Competitiveness: Digital Infrastructure as a driver of Investment Climate and Trade, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole commended the NCC and its partners for convening the investment forum and stressed that the conversation is about infrastructure required to produce, connect, invest and trade in a modern economy.
The Honourable Minister said the forum was timely as quality of a country’s digital infrastructure increasingly determines the quality of investment climate, the competitiveness, and ability to participate meaningfully in international trade. This is because the future of trade is now digital stressing that the nature of trade has changed as today “private networks, data centres, digital platforms, and secure data systems are critical for transactions”.
Similarly, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, represented by the Director of the National Frequency Management Council, Adetunji Adeyemo observed at the forum that reliable, affordable, resilient and accessible digital infrastructure is essential to Nigeria’s economic transformation, noting that Nigerian Government had identified infrastructure, policy and innovation, entrepreneurship and capital as key strategic priorities.
In her remarks, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, acknowledged significant gaps in connectivity coverage, quality, affordability and supporting infrastructure, and stressed that government, industry and investors would need to work together to address them, stressing that data on network performance and user experience could help identify areas requiring investment, reduce uncertainty and strengthen investor confidence while identifying energy, cybersecurity and digital skills as important components of a sustainable connectivity ecosystem.
According to the Ambassador, “Sweden is interested in deepening commercial and investment relations with Nigeria, particularly in digitalisation and connectivity. Swedish institutions and companies could contribute technology, commercial expertise, development finance, export financing and project development to support Nigerian infrastructure priorities.”
Earlier on the forum, Tristan Muhader, VP of Sales, Middle East & Africa, Ookla observed that connectivity is no longer simply the channel through which people make calls, browse the internet. But rather, it is becoming the operating layer for economic and public activity across sectors, from essential services to AI. That makes its performance and resilience a national priority’.
She further stated that “through our collaboration with the NCC, Ookla contributes independent, crowdsourced intelligence that reveals the experience people receive and helps identify where infrastructure investment can have the greatest impact.