August 18, 2025 — The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned that some Nigerian states may be sidelined in future telecom investments and digital expansion if they persist with policies that discourage network operators.
ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, raised the concern while stressing that despite Nigeria’s national drive for improved connectivity, several states still impose multiple taxation, excessive levies, and bureaucratic hurdles that make telecom infrastructure deployment unattractive.
According to him, operators frequently contend with challenges such as high Right of Way (RoW) charges, indiscriminate site shutdowns, vandalism, and undue demands from local authorities. These practices, he said, not only inflate operational costs but also delay network rollouts.
Adebayo noted that while some states have embraced the federal government’s harmonized and affordable RoW policy, others continue to charge prohibitive tariffs, effectively deterring private investment. He warned that such disparities risk deepening Nigeria’s digital divide, leaving some regions to enjoy faster upgrades to 4G and 5G networks, while others fall behind.
He urged state governments to adopt investor-friendly policies that protect infrastructure, encourage innovation, and foster digital inclusion. According to him, doing so would unlock long-term economic benefits, including job creation and improved access to digital services.
Adebayo emphasized that telecom companies remain committed to expanding connectivity nationwide but insisted that investment would naturally gravitate to states that provide supportive and sustainable operating environments.
