Abuja: Mr. Eghosa Urhoghide, Managing Director of the Edo Information and Communications Technology Agency (EdoICTA), has advocated for stronger collaboration among governments, telecom operators, regulators, and host communities to minimize damage to Nigeria’s fibre-optic infrastructure. Urhoghide spoke on this issue during a session on Technical Standards and Infrastructure Resilience at the Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) 2026 Forum, where industry leaders discussed practical measures for bolstering broadband infrastructure across the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Urhoghide highlighted that poor deployment standards can undermine broadband expansion efforts. He emphasized the necessity for deliberate investment in infrastructure that adheres to approved technical standards to ensure sustainable broadband development. Urhoghide noted that frequent fibre cuts, which disrupt internet services and slow broadband expansion, could be significantly reduced through stronger stakeholder coordination.
Drawing from Edo’s experience, Urhoghide explained that the state had established a coordination mechanism to keep telecommunications operators informed before and during road construction projects. This approach allowed for the identification and protection of underground fibre infrastructure before the commencement of work. He stated that this strategy helped minimize accidental fibre cuts and underscored the importance of continuous collaboration among ministries responsible for works, road maintenance agencies, ICT institutions, and telecommunications operators in safeguarding critical digital infrastructure.
Urhoghide also stressed the need for fibre cables to be laid at approved depths and in compliance with established engineering standards. He warned that substandard installation exposes infrastructure to repeated damage during civil works, and advocated for investing in resilient infrastructure from the outset. Such investment, he argued, is more cost-effective than repeatedly repairing damaged networks and ensures the long-term sustainability of broadband infrastructure.
The EdoICTA managing director further called on regulators to enhance compliance with technical standards while fostering greater cooperation across the telecommunications ecosystem. He asserted that achieving Nigeria’s broadband targets would depend not only on expanding fibre infrastructure but also on protecting existing investments through better planning, industry collaboration, and strict adherence to technical standards. Urhoghide noted that Edo’s approach aligns with the digital transformation agenda of Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s administration, with EdoICTA driving initiatives aimed at improving digital connectivity and fortifying critical ICT infrastructure across the state.