The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to driving affordable and faster broadband rollout nationwide through the full implementation of the Dig Once Policy, backed by a new cost-based framework for sharing underground duct infrastructure.
The assurance was given on Wednesday at the 2nd Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Pricing Mechanism for Ducts Built Under the Dig Once Policy, held at the NCC Annex, Mbora, Abuja.
—Stakeholders Convene to Finalize Pricing Model—
The forum gathered federal and state government representatives, telecom operators, infrastructure companies (Infracos), industry associations, development partners, and other stakeholders to review interim findings of the ongoing study and shape a transparent, equitable, and cost-based structure for duct sharing.
The Dig Once Policy mandates the installation of telecom ducts during road construction and rehabilitation, to eliminate repeated excavations for fibre deployment.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, said the consultation reflects the Commission’s commitment to inclusive regulation.
“The Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process. Our objective is to arrive at a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and, ultimately, consumers, while encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure,” Shuaibu said.
He noted the framework is expected to reduce broadband deployment costs, improve asset utilisation, encourage infrastructure sharing, and accelerate nationwide connectivity.
He added that all stakeholder inputs would be incorporated into the final report to ensure the framework is practical and commercially viable.
—Consultant: Equitable Access Key to Policy Success—
In his keynote, Mr. Olugbenga Olabiyi, Managing Director, Dimension Data Limited, described passive infrastructure — ducts, conduits, manholes — as one of the most capital-intensive aspects of broadband rollout globally.
He said Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy offers a unique opportunity to coordinate infrastructure deployment, cut costs, and expand broadband access in line with the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.
“For Nigeria, successful implementation of the Dig Once Policy could become one of the most impactful infrastructure reforms in our telecommunications history,” Olabiyi stated.
However, he cautioned that without fair, predictable and transparent access terms, infrastructure owners could frustrate the policy through high prices or discriminatory practices.
“A transparent and objective pricing methodology will provide confidence to investors, infrastructure companies, MNOs, ISPs, and fibre operators,” he said.
—What’s Next—
Participants reviewed the proposed pricing methodology, cost components, and implementation roadmap. Key discussions focused on balancing commercial sustainability for duct owners with affordability for access seekers and end-users.
The Abuja consultation follows earlier engagements and aligns with NCC’s mandate to promote infrastructure sharing and advance Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.
