As Nigeria races toward its goal of achieving 70% broadband penetration and extending coverage to 90% of its population by the end of 2025, it faces a long-standing barrier: conflicting government jurisdictions over Right-of-Way (RoW), a legal framework that permits telecom providers to lay fibre cables in public spaces in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite RoW being a key enabler of broadband infrastructure and a critical linchpin in Nigeria’s digital future, its inconsistent fees and overlapping agency jurisdiction across the states have made internet rollout slower, more expensive, and inequitable. For everyday users, it means unreliable internet connections, high data costs, and a digital divide that leaves some regions behind.
While the federal government, through the National Economic Council (NEC), recommended a benchmark RoW fee at ₦145 per linear metre in 2013 to streamline broadband expansion, among other efforts, many Nigerian states have gone on to implement varying RoW charges, many with high costs, indicating noncompliance.
This situation places Nigeria among African countries with low broadband penetration in proportion to its 142 million internet users. While Nigeria has only achieved 78,676km deployed fibre, its penetration stood at 45.4%, indicating more than half of its population remains offline. Other African countries have advanced more decisively in expanding broadband access by eliminating, subsidising, and harmonising their RoW fees.
Nigeria is deploying an additional 90,000km to meet its target of 125,000km of fibre deployment by Q4 2025. Here is what each Nigerian state contributes to the country’s fibre deployments and their Right-of-Way charges.
Lagos State
Lagos State, renowned as Nigeria’s commercial hub, leads the country in internet connectivity, boosting 18.8 million internet users. The state has the highest internet penetration with deployed fibre cables of approximately 7,864km, and is ranked the third most expensive state with RoW charge, charging ₦6,264 per metre. It uses RoW as an important revenue-generating source.
Edo State
Edo State, with 5.9 million internet users, ranked second in the highest fibre cable deployment, deploying approximately 4,893km of fibre. The state officially charges ₦3,491 per metre for RoW, but has waived fees for key operators like MTN and Airtel under the immediate past administration led by Godwin Obaseki. This selective waiver aims to fast-track broadband infrastructure, especially for education and public institutions. It has invested in a few tech initiatives, including Edo Tech Park and the Edo Innovates Hub.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)–Abuja
Abuja has RoW better than many states, charging ₦850 per metre for laying fibre in the capital. It has only achieved 4,472km of fibre deployed despite having 7,808,784 internet users.
Oyo State
Oyo State also imposes higher RoW fees at ₦5,303 per metre, significantly above the federal benchmark and has 4,329km deployed fibre in the state. It contributed 8.23 million internet users and was part of the Oodua Infraco Resources Limited project coverage to lay 1,031.44km fibre cable across the region. However, the high charge poses a barrier to expanding broadband deployment by telecom providers.
Ogun State
Ogun State leads with the highest RoW charge rate in the country at ₦9,477 per metre. With 9.5 internet subscribers, the state has recorded 4,189km fibre deployment. Ogun’s high RoW cost deters wider fibre expansion as it has raised concerns among Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and broadband investors.
Niger State
Niger State has waived Right-of-Way (RoW) fees for telecom operators, but introduced a one-time, non-refundable application fee of ₦500,000. This policy aims to attract private sector investment and expand internet access across the state. It has deployed 3,682km fibre cable and has 5.7 million internet users.
Kaduna State
Kaduna State was one of the earliest adopters of the federal recommendation, and waived its RoW fees to accelerate fibre deployment. It has laid 3,028km fibre cable, accounting for low broadband rollout to meet its 7.3 million internet users. It is also listed among the 19 states in the federal government’s fibre deployment project.
Delta State
Delta State adopted the federal benchmark for RoW charges at ₦145 per metre. This prompt fibre deployment in a state with approximately 2,750.42km, and favourable in terms of broadband infrastructure. The state has a higher number of online subscribers of 6 million..
Kano State
Kano State’s Right-of-Way (RoW) fee stands at ₦2,258 per linear metre, surpassing the federal recommended charge. This cost poses challenges for telecom companies aiming to expand broadband services in the state. The state with the largest internet users of 9 million, has just 2,697km fibre cable deployed.
Kogi State
Kogi State’s Right-of-Way (RoW) fee is set at ₦2,000 per linear metre, also exceeding the federal benchmark. It has approximately 2,602km of fibre cable deployed, recording 3.6 million internet users. It launched the project connectivity to enhance internet access across its local government areas.
Benue State
Benue State charges ₦2,500 per linear metre for Right-of-Way permit, below the market average but exceeds the federal benchmark of ₦145. It currently has 4.4 million internet users and has laid 2,375km fibre cable. Aligning RoW charges with federal recommendations may encourage telecom operators to invest in the state’s digital infrastructure, enhancing internet accessibility and economic development.
Ondo State
Ondo State is a model for broadband-friendly policy, charging ₦145 per metre for RoW in line with federal recommendations, and it is also among the Oodua Infraco project coverage. It has 3.7 million internet users and has laid 2,302km fibre cable.
Through its State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Ondo enforces the ‘One Dig Policy,’ which encourages coordinated fibre laying and infrastructure sharing. This approach reduces costs and disruption while boosting internet access. It is also implementing a Metro Fibre Network across the state to enhance ICT infrastructure.
Bauchi State
Bauchi State is among the 12 states that have waived their RoW charge. Its elimination of RoW fee is to attract telecom investment and facilitate broadband rollout to enhance digital connectivity in the state. The state is also among the 19 northern states that benefited from the federal government’s fibre deployment project. It has 2,018 km of fibre and accounts for 3.5 million internet users.
Rivers State
As a major oil and port city, the state is a high-demand zone with 5.7 million internet users and has 1.9km of deployed fibre cable. The state charges ₦4,047 per metre to secure a RoW permit to lay fibre cable. The cost may hinder rapid broadband expansion, especially in underserved areas.
Osun State
Osun State waived RoW fees in 2023 to attract investment in broadband infrastructure and push tech startup growth in the state. Partnering with Oodua Infraco Resources Limited, the state also commenced a 64km fibre rollout. However, despite the waiver, the state is involved in a dispute with MTN Nigeria over N945 million of RoW fees for laying 270km fibre cables in the state. Contrarily, the 2024 telecom providers’ compiled list of state RoW charges revealed Osun charges ₦6,850. The state currently has 3,854,925 internet users and has laid 1,902km fibre cable.
Kwara State
Kwara State reduced its RoW charge to ₦1 per kilometre in a bid to attract telecom operators’ interest in fibre cable deployment. The reduction has promoted fibre deployment and enhanced broadband infrastructure in the state. The state partnered with IHS Towers to establish an Innovation Hub and expand fibre infrastructure in the state. It also attracted Galaxy Backbone, which has deployed fibre networks in the state’s capital. The state had 1,753km of fibre deployed and boasted 4 million internet users.
Cross River State
Cross River State charges ₦4,737 per metre for RoW permit, making it one of the least accessible environments for telecom infrastructure expansion. It has 2.2 million internet users, but the fee structure is a challenge for service providers looking to expand connectivity, especially in rural areas. The state in the past explored a concession agreement with MTN Nigeria to provide 115 km fibre cable infrastructure in the state. Currently, it has 1,611km fibre deployment in the state.
Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State eliminated RoW charges for telecom operators, effective December 29, 2023. The move was formalised through the Nasarawa State Right of Way Regulation 2023, to facilitate broadband infrastructure development to enhance internet connectivity, and support the state’s digital economy growth. It boosts 3.9 million internet users and has deployed 1,590km fibre cable.
Enugu State
Enugu State reduced its RoW charge to ₦145, supporting broadband infrastructure development in the state. It also collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Communications to achieve its goal on broadband infrastructure. It has 1,499km fibre cable deployed and 3.1 million internet users.
Adamawa State
Adamawa declared a zero RoW charge to facilitate fibre deployment and improve broadband access. While the state has 3.2 million internet users, it has deployed 1,487km across six local governments.
Imo State
Imo State also waived its RoW charges. A move that signifies a positive step toward improving broadband infrastructure. Its state government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IHS Nigeria for fibre deployment, and also rolled out broadband access across all 27 local government areas. It has 1,448km of fibre deployed and 3,262,717 internet users.
Zamfara State
Zamfara State has eliminated RoW charges, facilitating broadband infrastructure expansion. The Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) oversees the deployment of fibre cable, aiming to enhance digital connectivity across the state. The removal of RoW fees is to attract telecom investments, improve internet access, and support the state’s broader ICT development goals. The state has 1.9 million internet users and has laid 1,406km of fibre cable.
Katsina State
Katsina State is among the states that have waived their RoW charges. It eliminated all charges related to fibre deployment, but it recorded low fibre deployment at 1,405km despite having 4.5 million internet users. However, its waiver is significant to attract telecom providers to increase fibre deployment.
Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom State imposes a RoW fee of ₦2,000 per linear metre, exceeding the federal recommendation. It has 1,396km of fibre deployed in the state. The state has 2.8 million internet users, it also initiated a state-wide fibre optic broadband project to achieve broadband expansion.
Anambra State
Anambra was the first southeastern state to waive RoW charge, the state has deployed 1,343km of fibre cable and a record of 4.2 million internet users. The state’s collaborative approach with telecom operators has been instrumental in this progress.
Abia State
Abia State imposed a RoW fee of ₦2,000 per linear metre, which is above the federal recommendation. It currently has 1,296km of fibre deployed with 2.8 million internet users.
Kebbi State
Kebbi state, in a bid to boost telecom infrastructure, waived all statutory fees for the deployment of fibre cables. While it has 2.5 million internet users, it has deployed 1,291km of fibre cable.
Yobe State
Yobe State revised its RoW charge to ₦1000 to enable fibre deployment and accelerate the state’s digital connectivity target. It has approximately 1,233km of fibre cable deployed, while it has 2.2 million internet users.
Borno State
Borno State has RoW charges at ₦1,000 per linear metre. The state’s policy supports efforts to enhance internet connectivity and bridge the digital divide, especially in conflict-affected areas. The state has laid 1,190km of fibre cable and has 3.2 million internet users.
Gombe State
Gombe State has low RoW charges. It pegged its RoW charge at ₦500 to encourage fibre infrastructure deployment in the state. The state records 2.2 million internet subscribers and has achieved 1,182km of fibre deployment.
Ekiti State
Ekiti State’s elimination of RoW charges has resulted in substantial fibre deployment, enhancing digital connectivity across the state. With 1.5 million internet users in the state, it has deployed 1,178km of fibre cable.
Jigawa State
Jigawa State charges ₦3,000 per linear metre for RoW permit, 25% more than the federal government recommended charge. It currently has 1,100km of fibre cables deployed. The state recording 2.3 million internet users has only 12% of its total population having access to fibre networks within 5 km.
Taraba State
Taraba State charges ₦2,000 per linear metre for RoW. Its high fee structure may impede broadband expansion efforts, especially in underserved regions. The state has 1,076km of fibre cable laid, recording 2.5 million internet users. In 2024, it planned to waive Right-of-Way charges to facilitate digital infrastructure deployment in the state.
Sokoto State
Sokoto State imposes a Right-of-Way fee of ₦3,000 per linear metre for broadband infrastructure deployment. It currently has 1,066km of fibre deployed. For connectivity, the state may need to consider reducing RoW charges and implementing policies that attract private sector investment in broadband infrastructure to serve its 2.6 million internet users.
Plateau State
Plateau State has waived RoW fees for telecom operators, aiming to accelerate broadband infrastructure development. This policy aligns with the federal government’s plan to standardise RoW charges and promote digital connectivity. By eliminating these fees, Plateau State positions itself to attract investments in fibre networks, enhancing internet access and supporting the state’s digital economy growth. While it boosted 3.4 million internet users, it has deployed 997km of fibre cable.
Ebonyi State
Ebonyi State has a RoW charge to the federal ₦145 RoW charge benchmark. Though the state has slow fibre deployment, having just 651km of fibre cable deployed despite having 1,401,626 internet users. It is making efforts to facilitate fibre deployment in the state to contribute to the state’s digital growth.
Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State imposes a Right-of-Way (RoW) fee of ₦2,500 per linear metre, which is above the federal recommendation. With 1,201,601 internet users, it has deployed 407.88km of fibre cable. This higher fee may deter extensive broadband infrastructure deployment, particularly in underserved areas. To improve digital connectivity and attract telecom investments, the state might consider revising its RoW charges to align with national standards.
