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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is intensifying efforts to reshape Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure landscape through a more transparent and commercially sustainable implementation of the Dig Once Policy, a reform designed to reduce deployment costs, eliminate unnecessary road excavations and accelerate nationwide digital connectivity.

The Commission reaffirmed this commitment during the Second Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the Development of 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 meeting brought together representatives of federal and state governments, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, development partners and industry associations to review interim findings of an ongoing study and contribute to the development of a fair framework for sharing underground telecommunications ducts.

At the heart of the initiative is the recognition that broadband infrastructure remains one of the most significant enablers of economic growth, digital inclusion and national competitiveness. However, the high cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure has continued to challenge the expansion of broadband services across Nigeria.

The Dig Once Policy seeks to address this challenge by ensuring that telecommunications ducts are installed whenever roads are constructed or rehabilitated. This approach enables fibre-optic cables to be deployed in the future without repeatedly excavating roads, thereby lowering costs, protecting public infrastructure and improving project efficiency.

Speaking at the consultative forum, the NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, described the engagement as another demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process that accommodates the interests of infrastructure providers, network operators, government institutions and consumers alike.

According to him, the proposed pricing framework is intended to encourage infrastructure sharing, maximise the utilisation of existing assets, reduce broadband deployment costs and facilitate the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure throughout Nigeria.

Shuaibu stressed that the Commission is determined to establish a pricing mechanism that will strike a balance between the interests of infrastructure owners, companies seeking access to the facilities and the millions of Nigerians who ultimately depend on affordable and reliable communications services.

“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 also encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure,” he said.

He further encouraged stakeholders to provide “frank, constructive and solution-oriented contributions” that would strengthen the final outcome of the study, assuring participants that every recommendation and observation received would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final report to ensure that the framework remains practical, commercially sustainable and responsive to industry realities.

The consultative process also featured a keynote presentation by the Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited, Mr. Olugbenga Olabiyi, who highlighted the enormous financial burden associated with passive telecommunications infrastructure such as ducts, conduits and manholes.

He noted that such infrastructure represents one of the most capital-intensive aspects of broadband network deployment globally, making infrastructure sharing an increasingly important strategy for reducing costs, improving operational efficiency and accelerating broadband expansion.

Olabiyi observed that Nigeria’s adoption of the Dig Once Policy provides a unique opportunity to improve coordination in infrastructure development, minimise avoidable road excavations, maximise the use of existing assets and expand broadband access nationwide.

Beyond the technical and financial benefits, he emphasised that the long-term success of the policy depends on the establishment of a predictable, transparent and equitable access framework.

According to him, inconsistent pricing structures and unclear access conditions could discourage investment and undermine the broader objectives of infrastructure sharing.

“For Nigeria, where broadband expansion remains a national priority under the National Broadband Plan, successful implementation of the Dig Once Policy could become one of the most impactful infrastructure reforms in our telecommunications history,” he said.

He added that infrastructure sharing can only succeed where access is governed by fairness, transparency, predictability and effective market oversight.

Olabiyi also warned against the dangers of an inequitable access framework, noting that excessive pricing, restrictive commercial conditions or discriminatory access practices by infrastructure owners could create barriers to market entry and frustrate the objectives of the Dig Once initiative.

He therefore commended the NCC’s effort to establish a cost-based pricing framework, arguing that a transparent and objective methodology would strengthen investor confidence while supporting infrastructure companies, mobile network operators, Internet Service Providers, fibre operators and other participants across Nigeria’s communications ecosystem.

During the consultation, participants examined the study’s interim findings and made recommendations on the proposed pricing methodology, implementation strategy and cost components. Discussions centred on developing a framework capable of promoting efficient infrastructure deployment while maintaining a fair balance between the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and consumers.

The stakeholder engagement builds on previous consultations undertaken by the Commission and reflects the NCC’s continuing commitment to regulatory reforms that encourage infrastructure sharing, expand broadband penetration and advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.