The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has hosted a major industry stakeholders’ engagement session in Lagos. The event focused on improving digital connectivity in rural, underserved, and unserved communities across the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, welcomed participants to the session, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in ensuring that every Nigerian has access to telecommunications services. Themed ‘Strengthening Partnership for Sustainable Telecommunication Infrastructure in the Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth’, the meeting brought together key industry players, government officials, development partners, and representatives from international organizations.
Dr. Maida highlighted that the USPF has been at the forefront of providing universal access to telecommunications services, aligning with Nigeria’s national and global development goals. He mentioned that through the deployment of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), backbone transmission infrastructure, and other projects, the USPF has significantly expanded digital access. However, he stressed that more needs to be done to bridge the digital divide, particularly in remote areas.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in his remarks, noted that while Nigeria has made significant progress in broadband penetration, millions of Nigerians, especially in rural areas, still lack reliable internet access. He outlined several government initiatives aimed at expanding digital infrastructure, including:
- Project BRIDGE – A 90,000km fibre optic expansion to improve broadband access across Nigeria.
- Project 774 – Ensuring high-speed connectivity in every local government secretariat.
- Universal Access Project – Targeting over 20 million Nigerians currently without digital access.
- National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN) – A multi-stakeholder initiative for broadband expansion.
- The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme – Developing skilled digital professionals to support Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.
Dr. Tijani emphasized that bridging the digital divide requires strong collaboration between the government, private sector, and development partners. He outlined four key areas for success: community engagement, leveraging existing infrastructure, capacity building through digital literacy programs, and sustainable solutions such as alternative energy sources for telecom infrastructure.
He called on stakeholders to actively participate in shaping policies and investments that will accelerate connectivity for all Nigerians. “We have the vision and policy framework, but we need strong partnerships to make universal access a reality by 2030,” he stated.
The session provided an opportunity for industry experts and stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing digital inclusion. Key discussions centered on innovative financing models, emerging technologies, and policies to encourage private sector participation in connectivity projects.
The event ended with a commitment from stakeholders to work together in achieving Nigeria’s digital transformation goals, ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age.
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