Nigeria has deployed 101,148.36 kilometres of fibre optic cable across its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but nearly one-fifth of the country’s digital backbone is concentrated in Lagos and Abuja, highlighting persistent disparities in broadband infrastructure.
An analysis of state-by-state infrastructure data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that Lagos and the FCT account for 18,559.83km of deployed fibre, representing 18.35 per cent of Nigeria’s total fibre network.
The figures underscore the concentration of digital infrastructure in the country’s commercial and administrative hubs, while many states continue to lag behind despite growing demand for broadband services.
According to the NCC data, Lagos remains Nigeria’s fibre hub with 11,586.70km of deployed fibre, accounting for 11.46% of the national network.
The state also hosts 7,996 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s largest telecommunications and enterprise market.
The Federal Capital Territory follows with 6,973.13km of fibre, representing 6.89 per cent of the national total, alongside 2,884 BTS sites.
The concentration of fibre infrastructure in Lagos and Abuja reflects the presence of major businesses, government institutions, financial services firms, hyperscale data centres and international internet gateways.
Other states with relatively extensive fibre networks include:
- Edo – 4,789.72km
- Kano – 4,616.71km
- Rivers – 4,616.01km
- Kaduna – 4,339.85km
- Ogun – 4,246.48km
The data also reveals significant infrastructure gaps across several states.
Bayelsa has just 656.87km of deployed fibre, while Ebonyi has 586.92km, Jigawa 970.10km, Borno 1,012.52km, and Zamfara 1,100.98km.
More than a dozen states still have less than 2,000km of fibre infrastructure, limiting broadband availability, network resilience and internet quality.
Industry experts note that fibre serves as the backbone of telecommunications networks, linking mobile base stations, data centres and internet exchange points. Without sufficient fibre backhaul, expanding 4G and 5G services becomes more costly and less efficient.
The uneven deployment of fibre infrastructure continues to be driven by high Right of Way (RoW) charges imposed by some state governments.
Although the National Economic Council approved a harmonised RoW fee of N145 per linear metre in 2020, implementation has remained inconsistent.
While some states have adopted the approved rate or waived the charges entirely to encourage investment, others continue to impose significantly higher fees.
According to NCC data:
- Ogun State charges N6,600 per linear metre, the highest in the country.
- Kano State charges N2,745 per metre.
- Delta State charges N2,706 per metre.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said excessive RoW charges remain one of the biggest obstacles to broadband expansion.
He noted that some states have replaced waived RoW fees with other levies, including education taxes and highway charges, which continue to discourage investment.
Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, also acknowledged that high RoW charges remain one of the most significant barriers to broadband deployment despite agreements reached by state governments.
To close Nigeria’s digital infrastructure gap, the Federal Government is rolling out Project BRIDGE, a plan to deploy an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable nationwide.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the project will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will attract private investment and public-private partnerships.
The initiative has already secured significant funding, including a $200 million loan from the African Development Bank Group and a $100 million investment commitment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
However, industry stakeholders have cautioned that the project could face the same challenges encountered by private operators unless state governments support efforts to reduce deployment costs.
Executive Director of Broadbased Communications, Chidi Ibisi, said issues such as high RoW charges, fibre cuts caused by road construction and vandalism must be addressed for the initiative to succeed.
Adebayo also urged state governments to stop treating Right of Way as a revenue source, arguing that affordable fibre deployment is critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.
