By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi State Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy (BICTDE) has engaged key stakeholders on the implementation of the State's Zero-Fee Right-of-Way (RoW) Policy, aimed at unlocking digital opportunities and accelerating economic growth.
Speaking at a stakeholders' engagement meeting held Wednesday at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Bauchi, the director-general of BICTDE, Mr. Hayatudeen Babamaji, described the policy as more than a regulatory reform, noting that it represents a bold commitment to positioning Bauchi at the forefront of Nigeria's digital transformation.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond waiving RoW charges, stressing that it is designed to expand broadband access, reduce the cost of doing business, attract private sector investment, and promote digital inclusion across the state.
Babamaji acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders, including implementation challenges, potential revenue implications for state and local governments, and the protection of critical infrastructure. He, however, emphasised that the long-term economic benefits outweigh the short-term adjustments.
According to him, the government remains committed to ensuring policy clarity, institutional coordination across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local government areas, to guarantee smooth implementation.
He further assured that the process would be transparent, efficient, and technology-driven, with adequate measures to safeguard infrastructure and ensure sustainability.
Babamaji stressed that the success of the initiative requires collective responsibility, calling for strong collaboration among telecom operators, infrastructure providers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.
He added that outcomes from the engagement, including a communiqué and implementation roadmap, would guide the next phase leading to the formal launch of the policy.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for approving the Zero-Fee RoW Executive Order, describing it as a decisive move that has removed long-standing barriers to digital development.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Alhaji Yakubu Jibrin, the SSG noted that the policy eliminates previously inconsistent charges ranging from N145 to N5,000 per linear metre, replacing them with a zero-cost structure to encourage investment.
He described the reform as a major step toward making Bauchi a preferred destination for telecommunications infrastructure development.
The SSG highlighted the establishment of a One-Stop-Shop portal to streamline approvals and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, ensuring ease of compliance for investors.
He also disclosed the creation of a Monitoring and Compliance Task Team to enforce the policy, warning that no MDA or local government is permitted to demand any fee related to telecom infrastructure deployment.
Hammayo urged all stakeholders, particularly local government authorities, to strictly adhere to the Executive Order, while calling on telecom companies and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to leverage the opportunity and align their rollout plans with the state’s digital roadmap.
He emphasised that beyond improving connectivity, the policy would drive socio-economic transformation by enabling the rollout of 4G and 5G networks, creating jobs, and enhancing service delivery in sectors such as education and healthcare.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, said Bauchi State has recorded notable progress in ICT development under the current administration.
Represented by Dr Abdul-Malik Suleiman, General Manager, Strategic Partnership and Regional Business, he noted that initiatives such as CYBERNATIONS have positioned Bauchi as an emerging ICT hub in the North-East and Nigeria at large.
He described the Zero-Fee RoW policy as another milestone, stressing that business-friendly digital policies are key to national competitiveness and economic growth.
Adeyanju reaffirmed Galaxy Backbone's commitment to supporting government institutions with secure connectivity, data hosting services, and digital infrastructure, in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda.
He also commended the Bauchi ICT Bureau for its collaboration and dedication to advancing digital transformation in the state.
The Bauchi State Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy (BICTDE) has engaged key stakeholders on the implementation of the State's Zero-Fee Right-of-Way (RoW) Policy, aimed at unlocking digital opportunities and accelerating economic growth.
Speaking at a stakeholders' engagement meeting held Wednesday at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Bauchi, the director-general of BICTDE, Mr. Hayatudeen Babamaji, described the policy as more than a regulatory reform, noting that it represents a bold commitment to positioning Bauchi at the forefront of Nigeria's digital transformation.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond waiving RoW charges, stressing that it is designed to expand broadband access, reduce the cost of doing business, attract private sector investment, and promote digital inclusion across the state.
Babamaji acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders, including implementation challenges, potential revenue implications for state and local governments, and the protection of critical infrastructure. He, however, emphasised that the long-term economic benefits outweigh the short-term adjustments.
According to him, the government remains committed to ensuring policy clarity, institutional coordination across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local government areas, to guarantee smooth implementation.
He further assured that the process would be transparent, efficient, and technology-driven, with adequate measures to safeguard infrastructure and ensure sustainability.
Babamaji stressed that the success of the initiative requires collective responsibility, calling for strong collaboration among telecom operators, infrastructure providers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.
He added that outcomes from the engagement, including a communiqué and implementation roadmap, would guide the next phase leading to the formal launch of the policy.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for approving the Zero-Fee RoW Executive Order, describing it as a decisive move that has removed long-standing barriers to digital development.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Alhaji Yakubu Jibrin, the SSG noted that the policy eliminates previously inconsistent charges ranging from N145 to N5,000 per linear metre, replacing them with a zero-cost structure to encourage investment.
He described the reform as a major step toward making Bauchi a preferred destination for telecommunications infrastructure development.
The SSG highlighted the establishment of a One-Stop-Shop portal to streamline approvals and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, ensuring ease of compliance for investors.
He also disclosed the creation of a Monitoring and Compliance Task Team to enforce the policy, warning that no MDA or local government is permitted to demand any fee related to telecom infrastructure deployment.
Hammayo urged all stakeholders, particularly local government authorities, to strictly adhere to the Executive Order, while calling on telecom companies and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to leverage the opportunity and align their rollout plans with the state’s digital roadmap.
He emphasised that beyond improving connectivity, the policy would drive socio-economic transformation by enabling the rollout of 4G and 5G networks, creating jobs, and enhancing service delivery in sectors such as education and healthcare.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, said Bauchi State has recorded notable progress in ICT development under the current administration.
Represented by Dr Abdul-Malik Suleiman, General Manager, Strategic Partnership and Regional Business, he noted that initiatives such as CYBERNATIONS have positioned Bauchi as an emerging ICT hub in the North-East and Nigeria at large.
He described the Zero-Fee RoW policy as another milestone, stressing that business-friendly digital policies are key to national competitiveness and economic growth.
Adeyanju reaffirmed Galaxy Backbone's commitment to supporting government institutions with secure connectivity, data hosting services, and digital infrastructure, in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda.
He also commended the Bauchi ICT Bureau for its collaboration and dedication to advancing digital transformation in the state.
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