Nigerian Telcos Demand Policy Overhaul as National Broadband Plan Fails to Meet 2025 Targets

Telecommunications operators in Nigeria are calling for an urgent policy shift as the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020–2025 nears its expiration without achieving its core objectives.

Despite the ambitious targets set by the Federal Government five years ago, industry stakeholders argue that the prevailing economic climate and regulatory bottlenecks have rendered the current framework ineffective.

The NNBP 2020–2025 was designed to deliver 70% broadband penetration and cover 90% of the population by 2025. However, as the deadline approaches, the reality on the ground reflects a significant shortfall.

Operators point to the widening gap between the plan’s aspirations and the practical challenges of infrastructure deployment. Key hurdles include the skyrocketing cost of Right of Way (RoW) across various states, multiple taxation, and the persistent insecurity that hampers the maintenance of base stations in volatile regions.

Central to the operators’ grievances is the macroeconomic instability that has gripped Nigeria. The drastic devaluation of the Naira has made the importation of essential telecommunications equipment prohibitively expensive.

Since the sector relies heavily on foreign capital expenditure, the lack of access to foreign exchange at competitive rates has stalled network expansion projects. Furthermore, the refusal of the government to allow a tariff review despite rising operational costs and inflation—has squeezed the profit margins of major players, limiting their ability to reinvest in broadband infrastructure.

Industry bodies, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), emphasize that the “failed” expectations of the current plan should serve as a lesson for the next policy cycle.

They are pushing for a more “investor-friendly” successor plan that prioritizes fiscal incentives, such as tax holidays for rural deployments and the harmonization of RoW charges at the federal and state levels.

There is also a growing demand for the government to officially recognize telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).

This designation would provide legal protection against the frequent shutdown of sites by state agencies and the vandalism of fiber optic cables, which remain primary causes of service disruptions.

As the 2025 deadline looms, the consensus among stakeholders is clear: without a radical departure from the status quo and the implementation of a policy that addresses the specific economic realities of 2026, Nigeria’s digital economy goals will remain out of reach.

The push for a new policy is not merely about meeting percentages, but about ensuring the long-term sustainability of a sector that serves as the backbone of the nation’s economy.