NCC to Rank States on Broadband Readiness, Unveil Digital Connectivity Index

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to introduce a Digital Connectivity Index, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to assess and rank all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on their broadband readiness and digital infrastructure performance.

The move, according to the Commission, is aimed at driving investment, enhancing accountability, and promoting uniform growth in the nation’s telecom sector.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this at the Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure held in Abuja.

The event brought together state governors, senior government officials, telecom operators, investors, and development partners to discuss strategies for expanding broadband coverage and protecting telecom infrastructure nationwide.

Dr. Maida said the Digital Connectivity Index would serve as a transparent scorecard, measuring each state’s readiness and competitiveness in the digital economy.

“The Digital Connectivity Index will provide a clear roadmap that encourages states to adopt pro-investment policies, expand connectivity, and empower citizens,” he said. “It will also help ensure accountability and transparency in broadband development.”

The NCC boss noted that the ranking would focus on key performance indicators such as adoption of right-of-way (RoW) waivers, infrastructure protection, regulatory ease, inter-agency coordination, and energy resilience for network sites.

According to him, states that adopt full RoW waivers, simplify approval processes, and embrace public-private partnerships will record higher scores on the index, while those with bureaucratic bottlenecks or inconsistent policies risk lagging behind.

He stressed that the ranking is not just a scorecard but a roadmap for progress, adding that states that align with investor-friendly policies will attract more operators and expand their fibre networks faster.

“This initiative will complement the NCC’s forthcoming Ease of Doing Business Portal, which will serve as a one-stop resource for investors seeking information on broadband approvals, right-of-way applications, and regulatory requirements across all states,” Maida added.

As of August 2025, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 48.81 per cent, with over 140 million people connected to the internet. The ICT and telecom sector remains one of the top contributors to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The first edition of the Digital Connectivity Index is expected to be published before the end of the year, providing annual updates to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.

The Commission expressed optimism that the index will foster healthy competition among states and accelerate Nigeria’s march toward a fully digital economy.