Katsina State Governor pledges stronger digital infrastructure protection, zero Right of Way charges to boost investment
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has restated his administration’s commitment to expanding broadband access and protecting digital infrastructure, describing broadband as the “new lifeline of economic prosperity and national security.”
The governor made this declaration in Abuja during a Business Roundtable on “Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Information Infrastructure,” organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Radda commended the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, the World Bank, and the NGF for convening the high-level meeting, which gathered policymakers, investors, and regulators to discuss strategies for broadband expansion and digital infrastructure protection.
Reacting to reports of more than 20,000 fiber cuts across Nigeria within eight months, Radda described the situation as “deeply alarming,” stressing that telecom infrastructure protection must be a shared responsibility between government, investors, and communities.
“Investors will only commit when infrastructure is secure,” he said. “That is why in Katsina, we have built a community-based system that protects both public and private assets.”
He revealed that the state has established committees across all 361 wards comprising traditional, religious, youth, and women leaders to safeguard public infrastructure and ensure community participation.
Outlining Katsina’s digital roadmap, Radda said the government targets 70% broadband penetration and 2,000km of fiber connectivity linking urban and rural areas by 2030. He added that a Directorate of ICT has been created to coordinate technology-driven projects and extend high-speed internet to all 34 local government areas.
The governor further disclosed that Katsina has completely waived Right of Way (RoW) charges to encourage private investment and seamless interconnectivity across public institutions, including hospitals, schools, ministries, and the State Assembly.
“We believe that reducing the cost of access is critical to unlocking private investment and building a sustainable digital economy,” he stated.
Radda urged stronger collaboration between federal and state governments to attract more broadband investment and ensure infrastructure protection.
In his remarks, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, praised Governor Radda and other state leaders for supporting broadband development. He noted that broadband penetration in Nigeria currently stands at 48% with over 140 million active users, adding that a 10% rise in broadband coverage could increase GDP by up to 1.4%.
Dr. Maida highlighted that Katsina, Kwara, and Nasarawa are among 11 states that have eliminated RoW charges, while 17 others follow the ₦145 per meter benchmark. He said the NCC has launched two new tools—the Ease of Doing Business Portal for faster project approvals and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index to measure digital readiness among states.
The NCC boss condemned the surge in vandalism, citing over 20,000 fiber cuts and 4,000 thefts recorded between January and August 2025. He urged states to adopt coordination models like Lagos’ LASIMRA to secure telecom assets.
“Today, prosperity depends not on oil, but on data, connectivity, and people,” Dr. Maida said. “The fiber pipelines we are building are the real lifelines of our national economy.”
Also speaking, Dr. Abdullateef Shittu, Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said the forum remains committed to supporting states in driving broadband access and digital transformation.
Dr. Ali Mohammed of the Federal Ministry of Finance reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for broadband expansion, noting that the $750 million World Bank–supported SABER Program is already strengthening digital infrastructure in 20 states, including Katsina.
“Broadband is not just about connectivity,” Dr. Mohammed said. “It’s about productivity, opportunity, and shared prosperity.”
Other attendees included senior representatives from Nasarawa and Kwara States, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Police Force, the NSCDC, PEBEC, and development partners.
— Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Katsina State Governor
October 8, 2025
