While policy initiatives across various Nigerian states have focused on waiving or reducing Right of Way (RoW) fees for telecoms operators, lowering these administrative charges has not automatically triggered widespread broadband expansion. Data on fibre cable deployment across jurisdictions demonstrates that reducing upfront fees addresses only one component of a complex infrastructure investment equation.
High Fees vs Commercial Market Demand A comparison of state-level network footprints reveals that telecoms operators frequently prioritize commercial returns over regulatory discounts.
High-Fee Jurisdictions: States like Ogun charge ₦6,600 per metre—substantially above the national ₦145 benchmark—yet host over 4,200 kilometres of deployed fibre. Kano and Rivers similarly maintain large networks exceeding 4,600 kilometres despite charging high RoW fees.
Low-Fee Jurisdictions: Conversely, states like Jigawa and Zamfara have fewer than 1,200 kilometres of fibre despite eliminating RoW charges entirely. Ebonyi and Bayelsa also lag behind with under 700 kilometres.
Commercial Factors: Telcos continue to build extensive networks in high-fee areas driven by enterprise clients, strategic transport corridors, and established consumer demand.
Addressing the Full Cost of Network Construction Waiving RoW fees removes a major upfront administrative cost, but it does not guarantee that projected user revenue will cover long-term operational expenses.
Equipment and Construction Expenses: Laying physical fibre optic cables requires capital for hardware, civil works, and trenching.
Maintenance and Security Risks: Operators face continuous operational expenses to maintain hardware and secure cables against damage and vandalism.
Coexistence of Zero-Fee Policies: States like Kaduna, Anambra, and Niger demonstrate that zero-fee policies can coexist with significant fibre footprints (such as Kaduna's 4,339 kilometres), though total figures often reflect cumulative historical builds rather than immediate policy impact.
To explore further technical analysis on telecommunications infrastructure, digital connectivity, and broadband regulation across Africa, visit AfroTech Horizon.
Aligning Policy Reform with Market Realities To extend high-speed internet into underserved communities, regulatory waivers must be matched with efforts that stimulate commercial demand and lower long-term maintenance barriers. Removing administrative fees is a valuable step, but sustainable broadband deployment requires economic models where expected revenues justify ongoing network operational costs.
