Anambra State Cracks Down on Unauthorised Internet Service Providers in Push for Digital Order

The Anambra State Government has launched a coordinated crackdown on unauthorised Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating within the state without proper regulatory approvals.

In a joint statement released on Thursday, Mr. Chike Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), and Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency, announced the clampdown, citing increasing reports of illegal road and sidewalk excavations and unauthorised installation of network poles by rogue ISPs.

Protecting Infrastructure and Public Safety

According to the state officials, these activities not only pose a threat to public safety and infrastructure but also undermine the credibility and operations of licensed ISPs registered with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“The objective of this crackdown is to sanitise the state’s digital landscape by ensuring that only properly registered and certified ISPs are allowed to operate in Anambra,” the statement read.

“This initiative is part of the broader vision of the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo-led administration to promote responsible technology use for the collective good.”

Not an Anti-Business Move, Government Says

The agencies clarified that the enforcement drive is not intended to stifle entrepreneurship or innovation but to enforce regulatory compliance and protect law-abiding operators.

“We want to make it clear: the state welcomes digital innovation and tech investment. However, no business is above the law. If you wish to provide internet services in Anambra, you must go through the proper channels,” said Maduekwe and Agbata.

To support this enforcement push, the state government has released dedicated hotlines for citizens to report any suspicious or unlicensed ISP activity:

• 📞 08062533672

• 📞 02014143039

The government assured that genuine tech operators who follow the rules will continue to receive support and incentives as part of Anambra’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Nigeria’s ISP Industry Under Pressure

The crackdown comes amid broader challenges facing Nigeria’s ISP ecosystem. According to Nairametrics, Nigeria has seen a steady decline in the number of active ISPs, with 12 providers voluntarily relinquishing their licences as recently as June 2024.

By July 2024, only 242 licensed ISPs remained active—down from 252 in May and a sharp drop from the 568 licensees recorded in March 2022. Many of these ISPs, often small indigenous firms, have been squeezed by high bandwidth costs, steep right-of-way charges, spectrum shortages, and anti-competitive practices by telecom giants such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised alarms over the shrinking ISP base, warning that it could hamper national broadband penetration goals. Despite their challenges, ISPs are viewed as critical to expanding last-mile internet access, especially in underserved urban and rural areas.

What This Means for Anambra’s Digital Future

With Governor Soludo’s administration pursuing an ambitious technology-driven development plan, the crackdown signals a shift toward greater regulation and standardisation in the state’s digital infrastructure sector.

Analysts say while enforcement is necessary to protect public infrastructure and uphold standards, the government must also balance regulation with supportive policies that foster innovation and protect smaller players struggling to compete with large mobile network operators.

By rooting out illegal operators and incentivizing compliant ones, Anambra hopes to build a safer, more reliable digital ecosystem—one where innovation can thrive without compromising infrastructure or public trust.

Bottom Line:
Anambra’s ISP crackdown is a wake-up call for unlicensed internet providers and a significant step toward structured digital governance. As Nigeria navigates its broadband expansion goals, state-level initiatives like this could set the tone for better regulation, smarter urban planning, and a more inclusive tech economy.