Designing a Broadband Network Expansion Framework for Optimizing Urban Connectivity and Digital Inclusion in Nigeria
Abstract
Nigeria’s rapidly growing urban population continues to outpace the capacity of existing broadband infrastructure, resulting in uneven connectivity, limited service quality, and persistent digital inequality across major cities. As digital services become central to socio-economic development, the need for a coherent broadband network expansion framework has become critical. This review synthesizes current research, policy documents, and industry reports on broadband deployment in Nigeria to examine the key constraints affecting urban network growth, including inadequate fiber-optic backbone coverage, high right-of-way (RoW) costs, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, infrastructural vandalism, limited spectrum availability, and power supply challenges. It evaluates emerging technologies—such as 5G, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), microwave links, small-cell architectures, and satellite-terrestrial hybrid systems—as potential enablers of last-mile affordability and scalability. Furthermore, the paper explores best-practice frameworks from leading global digital economies and contextualizes them within Nigeria’s governance, economic, and infrastructural realities. The review proposes a multi-layered broadband expansion framework integrating policy reforms, incentives for private network investments, local content development, metropolitan fiber-ring design principles, and community inclusion strategies. Ultimately, the paper outlines actionable recommendations for optimizing urban broadband connectivity, promoting digital inclusion, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition toward a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital economy.
Keywords
Broadband Infrastructure, Digital Inclusion, Urban Connectivity, Nigeria, Network Expansion Framework, Fiber-Optic and 5G Deployment.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Precious Osobhalenewie Okoruwa, Winner Mayo, Jolly I. Ogbole, David Adedayo Akokodaripon "Designing a Broadband Network Expansion Framework for Optimizing Urban Connectivity and Digital Inclusion in Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 3 Issue 6 2019 Page 471-494 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV3I6-1713064
IEEE:
Precious Osobhalenewie Okoruwa, Winner Mayo, Jolly I. Ogbole, David Adedayo Akokodaripon
"Designing a Broadband Network Expansion Framework for Optimizing Urban Connectivity and Digital Inclusion in Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 3(6) https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV3I6-1713064
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