Nigeria seeks improved telecom services to drive economic growth

Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, has emphasized that reliable telecommunications and data services are essential for Nigeria’s economic growth, productivity, and social inclusion. Speaking at a national dialogue in Abuja, Dare noted that telecommunications has transitioned from a supporting utility to critical national infrastructure, impacting sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and government services.

While Nigeria reached 192 million active telecommunications users and 56.7 percent broadband penetration as of June, Dare stressed that subscriber growth must be accompanied by improvements in service quality. He called for increased investment in network optimization, fiber deployment, and rural coverage, while urging operators to provide clearer explanations regarding data usage and more responsive customer service.

Stakeholders at the event also advocated for infrastructure sharing among operators and stronger protections for telecommunications infrastructure to enhance national competitiveness.