The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure as Nigeria’s rapidly growing data consumption puts additional pressure on networks and digital infrastructure.
NCC Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, made the call on Tuesday at the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum organised by the commission in collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla in Abuja.
Maida disclosed that Nigeria’s data consumption increased from approximately 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026, representing a rise of nearly 47 per cent.
He said the surge reflected growing reliance on broadband-enabled services by individuals, businesses, educational institutions and government agencies, adding that the adoption of cloud computing, digital platforms and artificial intelligence would further increase demand for connectivity.
According to Maida, sustaining the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy would require significant investment in network expansion, modernisation and improvements in quality of service.
He stressed that the investment challenge extended beyond connecting more Nigerians to ensuring that existing users received reliable services and that networks were capable of supporting emerging technologies.
“The investment challenge before us is not merely one of expanding coverage. It is also about ensuring that those already connected enjoy better service quality, improved user experiences, and infrastructure capable of supporting future technologies,” he said.
Maida said the telecommunications sector had recorded substantial growth over the past 25 years, driven by policy measures, regulatory reforms and increased private sector participation.
He added that the NCC remained committed to creating an enabling regulatory environment while protecting consumers and promoting fair competition.
The NCC chief executive identified the telecommunications tariff adjustment approved in 2025, engagements with state governments on Right of Way challenges and the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure as measures designed to support network deployment.
He said the commission was also strengthening evidence-based regulation to provide greater transparency and regulatory certainty for investors.
Maida therefore urged local and international investors, development finance institutions, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders to explore opportunities within Nigeria’s telecommunications market.
He said the collaboration between the NCC, Swedfund and Ookla was helping to generate data that could guide investment decisions and provide a clearer picture of connectivity gaps across the country.
Maida also highlighted the NCC’s Consumer Data Lab, funded by the Gates Foundation and developed in partnership with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA).
According to him, the platform combines Ookla’s network performance data, consumer complaints and operators’ intervention reports to analyse connectivity challenges based on location and demographic characteristics.
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Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who delivered the keynote address, said digital infrastructure had become increasingly important to investment, competitiveness and international trade.
Speaking on the theme, “Connectivity and Competitiveness: Digital Infrastructure as a Driver of Investment Climate and Trade,” she noted that modern trade increasingly depended on private networks, data centres, digital platforms and secure data systems.
Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, also identified gaps in connectivity coverage, service quality, affordability and supporting infrastructure.
She called for stronger collaboration among government, industry and investors, while identifying energy, cybersecurity and digital skills as critical components of a sustainable connectivity ecosystem.
Westerholm said Swedish institutions and companies could support Nigeria through technology, commercial expertise, development finance, export financing and project development.
Ookla’s Vice-President of Sales, Middle East and Africa, Tristan Muhader, said connectivity had become central to economic and public activities across different sectors.
He said Ookla’s partnership with the NCC provided data on users’ connectivity experiences and could help identify locations requiring infrastructure investment.
Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, the Director of the National Frequency Management Council, Adetunji Adeyemo, said reliable, affordable, resilient and accessible digital infrastructure was essential to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He said the Federal Government had identified infrastructure, policy and innovation, entrepreneurship and capital as key strategic priorities.
The two-day forum brought together policymakers, investors, development finance institutions, telecom operators, infrastructure providers, technology companies and development partners to examine investment opportunities and barriers to expanding digital connectivity across Nigeria.
