Telecommunications operators and regulators are facing increasing pressure to remove obstacles hindering Nigeria’s fibre broadband expansion as industry stakeholders gear up for a high-level policy forum in Lagos.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria said challenges affecting fibre-to-the-home deployment have become a major concern for the country’s digital transformation efforts, warning that existing bottlenecks are slowing broadband growth and limiting digital inclusion.

This comes as the President of ATCON, Tony Emoekpere, confirmed that the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, will deliver the keynote address at the Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home scheduled for June 30, 2026, in Lagos.

The forum will bring together telecom operators, infrastructure providers, investors, policymakers and state governments to discuss and address key structural challenges hindering fibre broadband deployment nationwide.

ATCON said the NCC chief’s participation has raised expectations for the forum, themed, “Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards, and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment.”

The association noted that fibre broadband infrastructure has become critical to Nigeria’s economic growth, but operators continue to grapple with challenges that have slowed investment and network expansion.

According to ATCON, key obstacles include multiple taxation, high right-of-way charges, regulatory hurdles, infrastructure vandalism, inconsistent state policies, high deployment costs, and limited access to financing for broadband projects.

Other challenges include poor coordination among stakeholders, quality assurance issues, and sustainability concerns that affect the long-term maintenance and reliability of fibre networks.

ATCON argued that fibre broadband deployment requires a regulatory framework distinct from that of mobile telecommunications, given its fixed infrastructure nature, higher capital requirements, and longer investment horizon.

“The fibre broadband ecosystem is fundamentally different from mobile telecommunications and requires tailored regulatory frameworks that reflect its unique operational realities,” the association said in a statement.

The association added that many existing policies were designed during the mobile telecoms era and may no longer be sufficient to address the unique challenges associated with Fibre-to-the-Home and Fibre-to-the-Premises networks.

ATCON said the forum will explore practical solutions to the challenges facing fibre deployment, including regulatory reforms, infrastructure protection, technical standards, sustainable financing models, infrastructure sharing, consumer protection, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.

The association noted that expanding fibre broadband penetration is critical to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy goals, such as job creation, digital inclusion, e-commerce growth, and improved access to education and healthcare.

According to ATCON, the discussions are expected to generate actionable recommendations that will accelerate broadband rollout and boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure sector.