SBM Report Slams Gaps in Bosun Tijani’s Telecom Strategy

A new report by policy think tank SBM Intelligence has spotlighted significant lapses in the handling of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector under the stewardship of Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

The report, titled “Signal Strength: The Past, Present, and Future of Nigerian Telecom,” critiques the disconnect between the Ministry’s digital ambitions and real-world execution, warning that despite bold initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, critical issues plaguing the telecom industry remain unresolved.

While Dr. Tijani has championed innovation and a tech-forward vision for Nigeria, SBM noted his limited experience in core telecommunications infrastructure may be hampering progress in a sector vital to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“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 stated.

Unfulfilled Policy Promises

One key area of concern is the implementation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection policy. Although President Tinubu officially designated telecom infrastructure as CNII in 2024, telcos continue to suffer attacks and vandalism.

Operators blame this on poor policy enforcement and the government’s failure to assign a dedicated security agency to oversee the protection mandate—exposing a widening gap between policy announcement and practical execution.

In addition, SBM highlighted persistent structural issues undermining the sector’s viability, including:

• Multiple taxation,

• Excessive Right-of-Way (RoW) charges,

• Macroeconomic challenges such as high inflation, diesel costs, and naira devaluation.

These hurdles continue to disincentivize private investment—even as the government aims for $3 billion in telecom infrastructure funding and 90,000km of fibre optic cable rollout.

Comparison with Past Leadership

The report also evaluated the tenure of former Minister Dr. Isa Pantami. While Pantami faced backlash for policies like the controversial NIN-SIM linkage and internet shutdown orders—which reportedly cost Nigeria $366.9 million in 2021 alone—he also oversaw key successes.

Under Pantami, Nigeria launched its National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), facilitated the rollout of 5G technology, and generated over N1 trillion in sector revenue.

Roadmap for Recovery

To reposition the telecom sector for growth, SBM Intelligence issued a number of urgent recommendations:

• Prioritize the telecom sector in CBN’s forex allocations;

• Assign a specific security agency to protect telecom infrastructure;

• Reduce right-of-way and taxation bottlenecks to attract private investment;

• Institutionalize public consultations on tariff hikes via the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC);

• Promote stronger coordination among government agencies, industry players, and civil society to ensure sustainable telecom policy.

As Nigeria pushes forward with its digital transformation agenda, SBM’s report underscores the need for a more grounded and collaborative approach—one that aligns high-level vision with operational reality.