ipNX, ICT Stakeholders Seek Stronger Collaboration to Accelerate Fibre-to-the-Home Deployment in Nigeria
LAGOS — Leading Nigerian ICT company, ipNX Nigeria, has joined telecommunications industry stakeholders in calling for stronger collaboration, improved regulatory alignment and greater protection of critical infrastructure to accelerate Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) deployment and broadband connectivity across Nigeria.
The call was made at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, where stakeholders examined the challenges confronting fibre infrastructure deployment and explored sustainable solutions for expanding high-speed broadband access.
The forum, themed “Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment,” brought together representatives of government agencies, telecommunications operators, regulators, infrastructure providers, industry associations and the media.
Delivering the keynote address virtually, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, described FTTH as a critical component of Nigeria’s digital future.
Maida said the technology would be increasingly important in meeting the country’s growing demand for data while supporting businesses, the digital economy and wider access to opportunities.
“FTTH is uniquely positioned to meet Nigerians’ next phase of data demand. The quality of our broadband will increasingly shape the competitiveness of our businesses, the growth of our digital industry and the opportunities available to our citizens,” he said.
The NCC boss also stressed the need for proper deployment, documentation and protection of fibre infrastructure, warning that damage to telecommunications networks could have significant economic consequences.
“We must uphold deployment standards. Nigeria needs fibre that is properly installed, properly documented, and properly protected,” Maida said.
In his opening remarks, ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, described FTTH as strategic to achieving Nigeria’s broadband penetration objectives and called for increased public awareness about the importance of protecting telecommunications infrastructure.
Emoekpere said telecommunications infrastructure should receive the same level of public protection accorded critical infrastructure such as electricity networks.
“This forum is critical because Fibre-to-the-Home is the technology that will enable the country to achieve full broadband penetration. We all depend on communication infrastructure, and it must be protected,” he said.
He further urged Nigerians to report acts of vandalism involving fibre infrastructure, stressing that damage to communications networks affects businesses, households and the wider economy.
The forum also examined infrastructure management initiatives at the sub-national level.
Director-General of the Oyo State Infrastructure Management and Control Agency (OYSIMCA), Adebayo Akande, explained how the agency was tackling fibre theft and vandalism while promoting infrastructure sharing among telecommunications operators.
Akande advocated the use of common pole infrastructure along shared routes, noting that such an approach could reduce unnecessary duplication, minimise damage to infrastructure, improve urban aesthetics and optimise investments within the telecommunications sector.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Eghosa Urhoghide, called for deeper collaboration among operators, regulators, government agencies, road maintenance authorities and host communities.
He stressed that compliance with NCC deployment standards would be essential to the long-term sustainability, resilience and efficiency of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Representing ipNX on the panel session titled “Policy, Governance and Regulatory Alignment,” the company’s Deputy Director, Strategic Business Initiatives, Segun Okuneye, emphasised the importance of coordinated action among stakeholders in unlocking the full potential of fibre broadband.
Okuneye said sustainable fibre deployment required more than technology and financial investment, stressing that policy consistency, stakeholder alignment, infrastructure protection and shared responsibility were equally important.
“Achieving universal fibre connectivity requires more than deploying infrastructure; it requires sustained collaboration between operators, regulators, government agencies and host communities.
“When policies are aligned, deployment standards are consistently enforced, and critical infrastructure is protected, we create an environment where investment thrives and more Nigerians can enjoy reliable, high-speed broadband,” he said.
He reaffirmed ipNX’s commitment to working with industry stakeholders to develop resilient digital infrastructure capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
Throughout the forum, stakeholders acknowledged the progress made in expanding broadband connectivity in Nigeria but identified persistent challenges, including fibre vandalism, right-of-way difficulties, inconsistent deployment practices, infrastructure duplication and inadequate public awareness.
Participants agreed that addressing the challenges would require stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors, improved enforcement of deployment standards, infrastructure sharing and more effective policy implementation.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening industry standards, promoting infrastructure sharing and encouraging Nigerians to recognise telecommunications infrastructure as critical national assets requiring protection.
For ipNX, its participation in the ATCON forum underscores the company’s continued support for industry-wide efforts aimed at expanding broadband penetration, strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and advancing a more connected and digitally inclusive economy.
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