SBM Intelligence Report Highlights Key Gaps in Minister Bosun Tijani’s Oversight of Nigeria’s Telecom Sector
A new report by Lagos-based research firm SBM Intelligence has raised concerns about the management of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector under Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The report, titled “Signal Strength: The Past, Present, and Future of Nigerian Telecom,” warns of a widening gap between ambitious digital economy initiatives and on-ground realities in telecom infrastructure and governance.
Dr. Tijani, a well-known innovation expert, has introduced high-profile initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, aimed at developing Nigeria’s digital workforce. However, the report argues that his limited experience in core telecom operations has resulted in weak policy implementation and infrastructure oversight.
“A minister without a comprehensive understanding of core telco operations might find it difficult to translate broad digital goals into effective policies that genuinely support the underlying infrastructure,” the report states.
Critical Implementation Failures: CNII Policy Under Scrutiny
One of the major criticisms in the report centres on the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection policy, which was approved by President Tinubu in August 2024. Despite this designation, telecom operators continue to report frequent vandalism and attacks on telecom infrastructure. SBM Intelligence attributes this to unclear enforcement mechanisms and the absence of a designated security agency, reflecting what it calls a disconnect between policy formulation and execution.
“Operators say there is a lack of direction on enforcement and no specific security agency empowered to act,” the report noted.
Structural Challenges Remain Unresolved
Despite government ambitions to attract $3 billion in telecom infrastructure investment and deploy 90,000 km of fibre optic cable, SBM’s findings reveal that key systemic problems remain unaddressed:
- Multiple taxation from state and local authorities
- Exorbitant right-of-way (RoW) charges slowing infrastructure rollout
- Currency devaluation, high inflation, and diesel costs undermining financial sustainability
- Weak inter-agency coordination
These issues, SBM warns, are eroding the financial viability of telecom operators and slowing progress toward Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.
Comparative Review: Isa Pantami’s Legacy
The report also evaluated the tenure of Dr. Isa Pantami, Tijani’s predecessor. While Pantami championed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and oversaw the 5G rollout that generated over ₦1 trillion in revenue, his tenure faced controversies:
- The NIN-SIM linkage led to a loss of 9 million active internet subscribers in 2021
- The Twitter ban and network shutdowns resulted in $366.9 million in economic losses
Nonetheless, SBM acknowledged Pantami’s role in laying foundational policies and infrastructure.
Recommendations for Telecom Sector Reform
SBM Intelligence provided actionable recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s telecom sector:
- Prioritise forex allocation for telecom operators via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
- Enforce CNII protection by designating and empowering security agencies
- Address RoW charges and multiple taxation to encourage private investment
- Mandate public consultations before telecom tariff hikes
- Foster structured collaboration among government, operators, and civil society
“The NCC should balance industry viability with consumer welfare by enabling transparent, inclusive regulation,” the report advised.
While Dr. Bosun Tijani’s tech-forward approach is lauded for pushing Nigeria’s digital economy agenda, SBM Intelligence warns that deep operational gaps, weak policy execution, and unresolved structural barriers risk undermining the country’s telecom sector growth. The report calls for immediate reforms to bridge the gap between digital vision and real-world infrastructure development.
