NCC has announced plans to launch a Digital Connectivity Index to rank states by broadband readiness and infrastructure.
The initiative aims to boost investment and promote nationwide digital growth.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to introduce a Digital Connectivity Index, a new ranking system that will assess all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory based on their broadband infrastructure, readiness, and digital growth performance.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind in Nigeria, is part of the NCC’s efforts to encourage investment, improve accountability, and promote balanced development in the country’s telecommunications sector.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, revealed the plan on Wednesday during a Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure, held in Abuja. The event brought together governors, investors, telecom operators, and development partners to discuss ways to expand broadband access and protect telecom facilities nationwide.
Maida explained that the Digital Connectivity Index would serve as a transparent scoreboard to measure how prepared each state is for digital transformation. “The index will help attract more investments, guide policymaking, and encourage states to implement favorable policies that improve broadband access and empower citizens,” he said.
The index will evaluate key factors such as the adoption of right-of-way (RoW) waivers, protection of telecom infrastructure, efficiency of regulatory approvals, collaboration between state agencies and network operators, and the reliability of power supply to telecom sites.
According to Maida, states that adopt friendly regulatory environments, such as full RoW waivers, faster approval processes, and public-private partnerships, will rank higher, while those with bureaucratic delays or inconsistent policies may fall behind.
He described the index as both a “scorecard and roadmap,” noting that states aligning with investment-friendly policies will attract more operators and improve internet coverage, while those that delay reforms risk being left behind in Nigeria’s digital growth.
The initiative complements the upcoming Ease of Doing Business Portal, another NCC project that will provide investors and operators with a one-stop platform to access information on broadband regulations, approvals, and RoW procedures across all states.
Maida stressed the importance of policy alignment, pointing out that states with supportive laws and secure telecom infrastructure already enjoy faster network expansion and better service quality.
The first edition of the Digital Connectivity Index will be released later this year and will be updated annually to monitor progress and identify areas requiring improvement.
As of August 2025, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at about 48.81 percent, with over 140 million internet users. The ICT and telecom sector remains a major contributor to the nation’s GDP, underscoring the importance of expanding broadband infrastructure to reach underserved communities.
The NCC said the ranking would help bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, where poor connectivity continues to hinder education, healthcare, commerce, and overall digital inclusion.
