Telecommunications operators and regulators are under growing pressure to address bottlenecks slowing Nigeria’s fibre broadband rollout as industry stakeholders prepare for a high-level policy forum in Lagos.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria said the issues surrounding fibre-to-the-home deployment have become critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, warning that current challenges are limiting broadband expansion and digital inclusion.

This comes as the President of ATCON, Tony Emoekpere, confirmed that the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, will deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Critical Conversation Forum on FTTH scheduled for 30 June 2026, in Lagos.

The forum is expected to bring together telecommunications companies, infrastructure providers, investors, policymakers, and state governments to address structural challenges affecting fibre deployment across the country.

ATCON said the confirmation of the NCC boss has heightened expectations for the event themed “Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards, and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment.”

According to the association, fibre broadband infrastructure is increasingly central to Nigeria’s economic growth, but operators continue to face multiple constraints that have slowed investment and rollout.

These include multiple taxation, high right-of-way charges, regulatory bottlenecks, infrastructure vandalism, inconsistent state policies, high capital expenditure requirements, and limited access to financing for broadband projects.

Others are weak coordination among stakeholders, quality assurance concerns, and sustainability challenges affecting long-term network maintenance.

ATCON argued that fibre broadband deployment requires a distinct regulatory approach, different from mobile telecommunications, due to its fixed infrastructure nature, higher capital intensity, and long-term investment cycle.

“The fibre broadband ecosystem is fundamentally different from mobile telecommunications and requires tailored regulatory frameworks that reflect its unique operational realities,” the association said in a statement.

It added that existing policies developed during the mobile telecom era may not adequately address the complexities of FTTH and fibre-to-the-premises networks.

The association said the forum will focus on practical solutions, including regulatory reforms, infrastructure protection, technical standards, sustainable financing models, infrastructure sharing, consumer protection, and improved collaboration among stakeholders.

It noted that improving fibre broadband penetration is essential to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions, including job creation, digital inclusion, e-commerce growth, and improved access to education and healthcare services.

ATCON said the engagement is expected to produce actionable recommendations to accelerate broadband deployment and strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure sector.

The forum is also expected to explore ways to deepen state government participation in broadband expansion and address long-standing operational barriers affecting network rollout.

ATCON expressed optimism that the participation of the NCC leadership would help drive consensus on reforms needed to accelerate fibre infrastructure development nationwide.

Marketers of petroleum products say petrol prices may drop to about N1,200 per litre as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery leads efforts to reduce ex-depot rates.

As crude prices continue to fall following a peace deal signed between the United States and Iran, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its petrol gantry price by N75 per litre, from N1,250 to N1,175.

This has prompted other depot owners to lower their prices to about N1,180, according to Petroleumprice.ng.

However, filling stations have yet to adjust pump prices, as many still sell petrol at around N1,280, as observed on Tuesday. Marketers attribute this to the need to sell off old stock to avoid losses.

In a circular to fuel marketers on Monday, the Dangote refinery said the price adjustment followed the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which had impacted energy prices over the past three months.

“Following the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which has impacted energy prices, we wish to inform you that we have reviewed our premium motor spirit gantry/coastal price,” the circular stated.

It added that the new gantry price is now N1,175, while the coastal price per metric tonne has been reduced from N1,595,790 to N1,495,215. The refinery said the new rates took effect from midnight on Tuesday.

“Kindly note that all outstanding unloaded gantry volumes will be repriced at the new rate effective 12:00 AM, June 16, 2026,” the circular noted, adding, “We sincerely appreciate your continued patronage and assure you of our unwavering commitment to reliable product supply and excellent service delivery.”

The latest reduction comes amid easing tensions in the global oil market following reports of ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices, which had surged to about $120 per barrel at the peak of the crisis, fell below $80 per barrel as of Tuesday after US President Donald Trump announced a peace deal.

Speaking in an interview, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said petrol could sell for between N1,200 and N1,250 in Lagos, while prices may be around N1,300 in other locations.

According to Ukadike, marketers have not yet reduced pump prices because many still hold old stock, urging Nigerians to exercise patience. He said consumers often expect immediate price adjustments, noting that such moves would result in losses for marketers still holding expensive inventory.

“This announcement is enabling people who have old stocks to clear out their stocks, not only clearing out their stocks but also enabling them to prepare to take the fresh stocks,” he said.

Ukadike added that loading activities usually slow down whenever the Dangote refinery announces new prices, allowing marketers time to clear old stock.

“Once the Dangote refinery announces a new price, there is a serious pause in loading. And it will enable people who just bought new products to see how they can clear the old stocks within the window of a day or two. Then when the new stocks start coming into the market, the process of supply and price will set in. Definitely, by tomorrow and Friday, people will start adjusting to the new price,” he said.

“The price is not static, and it depends on where you are. But I know that products will start selling between N1,200 and N1,250 in Lagos and more in other far-away locations,” he added.

However, the spokesman of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Joseph Obele, expressed concern that imported petroleum products appear cheaper than locally refined fuel, calling on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to issue more licences for fuel imports.

Like Obele, Nigerians on social media have complained that the N75 reduction does not reflect the recent decline in crude oil prices.

Crude oil, the main feedstock for fuel production, had risen sharply following the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28. During the three-month conflict, prices climbed above $100 per barrel and at some points exceeded $120 per barrel, pushing fuel prices higher.

In Nigeria, petrol prices rose from about N830 per litre to around N1,300 per litre during the period, while diesel and aviation fuel also recorded significant increases.

With crude prices now declining, the latest adjustment by Dangote Refinery is expected to bring further relief to domestic fuel prices. Oil prices continued their downward trend on Monday following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Oilprice.com, Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped from $87 on Sunday to $78 per barrel on Tuesday. The United States and Iran said they reached an agreement on Sunday to end the conflict, a development that further pushed oil prices lower.

The PUNCH reported that petrol could fall to as low as N900 per litre in the coming days if the peace deal holds and crude prices continue to decline. A Dangote Petroleum Refinery official also noted that while prices could drop further, the refinery is still processing “expensive crude” already in its tanks.

The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has disbursed a total of N50m in first-year funding to 100 Nigerian students under its Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship Programme, strengthening its push to expand digital skills and education access in the country.

The initiative targets high-performing but financially disadvantaged 100-level students in public universities studying technology-related courses. It covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and essential learning tools, including laptop computers.

According to the Foundation, each of the 100 beneficiaries received an average of N500,000, with the total disbursement completed as of  29 May 2026. It added that funding will continue throughout the duration of the students’ four-to-five-year academic programmes.

The beneficiaries referred to as Airtel Fellows were selected through an independent process from accredited public universities across Nigeria.

They are studying disciplines including Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence.

Participating institutions in the first cohort include the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Benin, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Tai Solarin University of Education.

Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, said the programme is aimed at building a pipeline of skilled innovators who will contribute to Africa’s growing digital economy.

“We are not just funding education; we are building a pipeline of skilled innovators who will contribute meaningfully to Africa’s digital economy. The transparency of this process and the full delivery of our commitment to these 100 scholars are matters of great pride for the Foundation,” Ogunsanya said.

He added that the initiative reflects Airtel’s commitment to long-term human capital development and inclusive growth.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the programme demonstrates the company’s dedication to youth empowerment through education and digital inclusion.

“At Airtel Nigeria, we believe that the future of our country lies in the hands of our youth. This N50m disbursement is proof that when we say we are committed to empowering young Nigerians, we mean it fully and transparently,” Balsingh said.

The Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship forms part of the Foundation’s broader F.E.E.D agenda, which focuses on Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental protection, and Digital Inclusion.

Beyond financial support, the programme also provides mentorship, exposure, and skills development aimed at preparing beneficiaries for careers in an increasingly digital global economy.