Niger State has removed right-of-way (RoW) fees for fiber optic cables to speed up broadband rollout, especially in underserved rural areas.
Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago said the move is key to socio-economic progress, as better telecom infrastructure will drive e-governance and improve access to public services.
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Historically, high RoW fees discouraged telecom investment. While the federal benchmark is CFA 145 per meter, many states charged more, stalling infrastructure growth. Niger’s fee waiver aligns with the national push for affordable broadband access.
Poor connectivity in rural regions like Mariga and Wushishi has limited farmers’ access to markets and digital services. The new policy aims to close this gap, enhance education and healthcare delivery, and support Nigeria’s goal of 90% broadband penetration by 2025.
Niger joins other states like Ekiti and the FCT in slashing RoW costs, setting an example for fostering digital inclusion through collaborative governance.
