The Sokoto State Government(SOSG), through the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy(MIDE), has joined other states and key national stakeholders at a Business Roundtable on Improving Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Information Infrastructure.
The roundtable, jointly organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), was held at the NCC Digital Economy Complex, Abuja. It provided a platform for engagement between federal and state governments, the private sector, and development partners to address challenges affecting broadband deployment and infrastructure protection.
Representing Sokoto State, the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Bashar Umar Kwabo, reiterated the state’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion and aligning with national efforts to strengthen broadband connectivity across Nigeria.
The dialogue, themed “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure: The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,” focused on promoting collaboration and creating an enabling environment for broadband expansion nationwide.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser has dismantled cartels sabotaging telecommunications infrastructure nationwide. He disclosed that between January and August 2025, the industry recorded 19,384 fiber cut incidents and 3,241 equipment thefts, causing significant outages and revenue losses.
Furthermore, Maida announced that 11 states have waived right-of-way charges while 17 adopted the N145 per meter benchmark, urging remaining states to eliminate RoW fees to accelerate broadband expansion.
In line with the vision of Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the state has continued to record remarkable progress in the ICT sector, notably through the assent of the Sokoto State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (SICTDA) Bill, which seeks to strengthen governance, regulation, and the development of ICT infrastructure and digital services across the state.
The meeting brought together top figures including National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, as well as representatives from security agencies, telecom operators, state governments, and development partners.
Muhammad Abubakar
October 9, 2025
