12 Nigerian states waive right of way fees to bridge digital divide – but challenges persist

In a bid to bridge the digital divide, not less than 12 Nigerian states have waived Right of Way (RoW) fees, one of the key barriers to expanding broadband infrastructure. States like Zamfara, Katsina, Anambra, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Adamawa, and recently Niger are leading the charge to attract telecom investments and extend internet access to rural and underserved communities.

With over 31.17 million mobile subscriptions in these states, the initiative aims to unlock economic opportunities, improve healthcare, and enhance education through better connectivity. However, the journey to digital inclusion remains fraught with challenges, as uneven implementation and persistent infrastructure gaps threaten to slow progress.

Right of way fees, charged by state governments to allow telecom operators to dig roads and lay fibre optic cables, have long been a stumbling block for Nigeria’s broadband ambitions. Fibre optics are the backbone of modern communication, enabling high-speed internet that powers mobile networks and data services. Yet, high right of way costs have stifled the expansion of Nigeria’s fibre network, which currently spans just 35,000km. 

According to the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, only 39 per cent of Nigerians live within five kilometres of a fibre network, leaving millions disconnected in a country where broadband penetration is still at 45.61 per cent as of January 2025.

The decision to waive Right of Way fees stems from a 2020 agreement among state governors to standardise rates at N145 per meter, a move championed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). However, adoption has been inconsistent.

While 12 states have eliminated the fees entirely, replacing them in some cases with a one-time N500,000 application fee, others, like Ebonyi, charge rates up to 69 times higher than low-cost states like Ekiti. This disparity underscores a broader issue, Nigeria’s fragmented regulatory environment, where state-level policies often undermine national digital goals.

More states need to waive the Right of Way fees

This is particularly unique due to the human impact of these policy shifts, particularly in rural areas where connectivity can be a lifeline. In Niger State, for example, the government highlighted that waiving Right of Way fees would lower deployment costs, enabling telecoms to extend fibre networks across its 14,223.76km target.

“This is about giving our people access to education, healthcare, and jobs,” a Niger State official said.

In rural communities, where 23 million Nigerians lack any telecom access and 301 local government areas remain unconnected, such investments could transform lives. For instance, telehealth services could reach remote clinics, and digital platforms could empower small-scale farmers to access markets.

Industry experts underscore the urgency of these reforms. “Nigeria has robust internet capacity landing on its shores from undersea cables, but without fibre to distribute it, that capacity is trapped,” said an insider.

Data consumption is soaring, with over 1 million terabytes used in January 2025 alone. Yet over 120 million Nigerians remain offline due to infrastructure and affordability barriers, according to data from GSMA. Harmonising Right of Way fees at N145 per metre could cut national broadband rollout costs by 15 per cent, GSMA estimates, spurring investments that bridge this gap.

The NCC’s advocacy, led by Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida, is yielding results. Maida has emphasised that waiving RoW fees creates a “win-win” scenario: telecoms invest more, states gain economic growth, and citizens access digital services. In Katsina, for example, fibre expansion has already improved mobile network reliability, boosting local businesses. Similar success stories are emerging in Anambra, where schools are leveraging better connectivity for e-learning.

Yet, challenges loom large. Many states have ignored the N145 per metre agreement, raising fees instead, which discourages operators from deploying infrastructure. The lack of coordination between federal and state policies further complicates matters. Moreover, affordability remains a hurdle; even with expanded networks, high data costs could limit adoption among low-income households.

As Nigeria races to close its digital divide, the actions of these pioneering states offer hope. By slashing Right of Way fees, they have succeeded in laying the groundwork for a more connected future. But for this vision to succeed, more states must align with the national agenda, and investments must prioritise affordability alongside infrastructure. Only then can Nigeria’s digital potential be fully unleashed, bringing millions into the global digital economy.