By Chioma Favour
ABUJA – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating broadband infrastructure deployment through the effective implementation of Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy, aimed at reducing the cost of network expansion and eliminating unnecessary road excavations.
The Commission made the commitment during the Second Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Developing a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts Built Under the Dig Once Policy, held at the NCC Annex Office in Mbora, Abuja.
The forum brought together representatives from federal and state government agencies, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, industry associations, development partners and other stakeholders to review interim findings and contribute to the development of a transparent and sustainable pricing framework for sharing underground telecommunications ducts.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, said the consultation reflects the Commission’s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, network operators, government institutions and consumers.
He explained that the proposed pricing framework is designed to encourage infrastructure sharing, improve the use of existing assets, reduce the cost of broadband deployment and support the nationwide expansion of telecommunications infrastructure.
According to Shuaibu, the framework will establish a fair and transparent pricing mechanism for sharing underground ducts installed under Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy, which encourages telecommunications ducts to be laid during road construction and rehabilitation projects to avoid repeated excavations during future fibre deployment.
“The Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process. Our objective is to develop a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and consumers, while encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure,” he said.
He added that recommendations and observations from stakeholders would be reviewed and incorporated into the final report to ensure the framework remains practical, commercially sustainable and responsive to industry realities.
Delivering the keynote presentation, the Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited and consultant to the project, Mr. Olugbenga Olabiyi, described passive infrastructure such as ducts, conduits and manholes as some of the most expensive components of broadband network deployment.
He noted that infrastructure sharing has become a globally accepted strategy for reducing deployment costs, improving operational efficiency and accelerating broadband expansion.
According to him, Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy presents an opportunity to promote coordinated infrastructure development, minimise avoidable road excavations, maximise the use of existing facilities and improve broadband access nationwide.
Olabiyi stressed that developing a predictable, transparent and equitable access framework is essential, warning that inconsistent pricing models and unclear access conditions could discourage investment and undermine the objectives of the Dig Once Policy.
He commended the NCC’s initiative to establish a cost-based pricing model, noting that a transparent methodology would provide greater confidence for investors, infrastructure companies, mobile network operators, Internet Service Providers and fibre network operators.
Participants at the forum reviewed the study’s interim findings and made recommendations on the proposed pricing methodology, implementation strategies and cost components to ensure the framework supports efficient infrastructure deployment while protecting the interests of infrastructure owners, service providers and consumers.
The consultation forms part of the NCC’s ongoing regulatory efforts to promote broadband expansion, encourage infrastructure sharing and advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
