Joy Agwunobi
As 2025 draws to a close, Nigeria’s ambitious goal of achieving 70 percent broadband penetration under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020–2025 is increasingly slipping out of reach. What was envisioned as a five-year sprint toward a digitally connected economy has turned into a race against time, with progress tempered by persistent infrastructure, policy, and security challenges.
When the NBP was launched in March 2020, broadband penetration stood at 39.85 percent. The plan aimed to deliver high-speed internet across the country, with a minimum download speed of 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural communities, data priced at no more than N390 per 1GB, and coverage for at least 90 percent of the population. Its strategy rested on four pillars: Infrastructure, Policy, Demand Drivers, and Funding & Incentives.
Progress made, challenges remain
Recent data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) indicates that broadband penetration has risen to 49.89 percent as of October 2025. The report also shows that monthly subscriptions hit 175,082,900 during the same period, driving the country’s teledensity, the number of telephone connections per 100 inhabitants to 80.87 percent, the highest level recorded so far this year.
While these numbers reflect measurable progress, they also reveal the scale of the remaining challenge. Crossing the 20-percentage-point gap requires accelerated deployment and a pace of expansion the sector has struggled to maintain.
Fibre infrastructure under pressure
Infrastructure challenges continue to hamper broadband growth. Service providers report between 30 and 43 daily fibre cuts, caused by vandalism, road construction, or theft. A Deloitte (2024) report also flagged rising cybersecurity threats, including ransomware and insider attacks, which further strain operators’ resources.
In the first eight months of 2025, the telecom sector suffered more than 40,000 disruptions. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the NCC, disclosed this at a recent Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure.
According to him, the disruptions comprising 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 cases of equipment theft, and over 19,000 denials of access to telecom sites have resulted in prolonged outages, significant revenue losses, increased security costs, and delays in restoring services for millions of users.
“These incidents demonstrate why infrastructure protection must remain at the centre of our collective agenda. Without it, Nigeria risks stalling its broadband ambitions,” Maida said.
The EVC also noted that broadband expansion is further slowed by fragmented and unpredictable Right of Way (RoW) policies across states, which create delays and cost uncertainties for operators. He added that inconsistent enforcement of infrastructure protection, weak coordination with road authorities, poor construction planning, energy supply volatility, multiple taxation, and bureaucratic permitting processes are compounding the sector’s challenges.
“Broadband access transforms local markets into global ones, expands opportunities for our youth, and turns state economies into innovation-driven ecosystems. If countries like Rwanda and India have leveraged broadband to reposition their economies, Nigeria with its young and vibrant population can do even more if we provide reliable and affordable high-speed connectivity,” he said.
Government interventions
Despite falling short of the 70 percent goal, the government has been active in bridging the connectivity gap. Initiatives include the 774 Local Government Area fibre project, partnerships with infrastructure companies (InfraCos), and improved spectrum administration.
Bosun Tijani , minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy recently announced plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre nationwide, supported by a $500 million World Bank facility,the largest in the bank’s portfolio. Complementing the rollout, 5,000 young Nigerians will be trained in fibre technology and deployment through a partnership with Coleman Wires and Cables, which recently launched West Africa’s largest fibre plant.
“The President decided that every corner of our nation will be covered with fibre optic cables,” Tijani said, adding that the initiative will strengthen the broadband ecosystem while creating skilled jobs.
NCC’s Maida highlighted other milestones, including the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), which reached peak traffic of one terabit per second in April 2025, a first in the country’s digital history. “We are facilitating investments in fibre optic cables, 5G deployment, and rural connectivity. The 90,000-kilometre fibre project is already underway, and our digital backbone will continue to expand,” he said.
Now in December, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture for its digital transformation. Despite significant progress over the past five years, infrastructure fragility, policy inconsistencies, and security challenges continue to test the country’s broadband ambitions. Industry analysts note that this month will be decisive in determining whether Nigeria can accelerate network deployment, safeguard key infrastructure, and cement the foundation for a resilient, inclusive, and high-speed digital economy.
