Joy Agwunobi
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital connectivity in rural, underserved, and unserved areas across Nigeria.
This commitment was underscored during an industry stakeholders session organised by the ministry of communications, innovation & digital economy, in collaboration with the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The forum, held in Lagos, brought together industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore strategies for bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusion.
Speaking at the event, Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, emphasised the urgency of addressing connectivity gaps to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the nation’s digital transformation.
He noted that “over the last 25 years, Nigeria has made significant strides in expanding connectivity and strengthening our digital technology infrastructure.” Despite this progress, he pointed out that “there are still millions of Nigerians on the fringes of digital transformation who are yet to have access to reliable connectivity.”
Tijani expressed concern that while broadband penetration has increased in recent years, many communities still face significant barriers such as inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy. He stressed that these challenges “not only hinder personal and business growth but also restrict the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.”
He acknowledged the critical role of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in driving efforts to extend connectivity to marginalised communities. Tijani emphasised that the USPF has been a critical instrument in the Federal Government’s mission to extend connectivity to these communities.
According to him, by supporting infrastructure expansion, fostering local innovation, and driving inclusive policies, the USPF aligns with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goal of enabling meaningful and affordable connectivity for all Nigerians.
Tijani further stressed that bridging the digital divide is not solely the responsibility of the government. “Sustainable and impactful progress requires strong partnerships across the public and private sectors, development agencies, civil society, and local communities,” he said.
Effective partnerships, he noted, must focus on engaging communities to understand their unique needs, leveraging existing infrastructure to optimise costs and deployment, integrating digital literacy programmes to ensure productive internet use, and developing sustainable business models that support long-term connectivity.
Tijani reiterated the government’s dedication to collaborating with all stakeholders to maximise Nigeria’s digital potential. He highlighted that the country is at a defining stage in its digital transformation, with a clear vision, policy framework, and determination to ensure every Nigerian has access to the digital economy. However, he stressed the importance of partnerships in exploring innovative approaches to effectively implement all aspects of the government’s plans.
Tijani further urged stakeholders to explore innovative approaches that will accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure and enable universal access to communications and digital literacy by 2030.
“Together, with a clear focus on investment in last-mile connectivity, capacity building, and infrastructure development, as well as the creation of policies that enable the rapid deployment of digital infrastructure, we can achieve universal access to communications and digital literacy for all Nigerians by 2030,” he stated.
On his part, Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasised the need for strengthened partnerships to ensure equitable access to telecommunications services across the country, particularly in unserved and underserved communities.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Partnership for Sustainable Telecommunication Infrastructure in the Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,” Maida stated that the engagement reflects a shared commitment to expanding telecommunications services to all Nigerians.
He highlighted that the forum aims to bring key industry stakeholders together to discuss strategies for enhancing interventions by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and to establish a robust feedback mechanism that will foster meaningful partnerships for Nigeria’s digital future.
According to Maida, the NCC, through the USPF, has played a leading role in ensuring universal access to telecommunications services. These efforts align with national and global objectives, including bridging the digital divide, promoting economic growth and social inclusion, and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
“Over time, the USPF has successfully implemented several projects under its access and
connectivity programmes. Given the focus of this event, it is important to highlight key
connectivity projects such as the deployment of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS),
Backbone Transmission and Infrastructure, amongst others,” Maida stated, emphasising that these engagements serve as critical platforms for discussing strategies to enhance the impact of such initiatives through stronger collaborations.
He stressed that achieving digital inclusion requires close collaboration among government agencies, mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, equipment manufacturers, development partners, and telecom trade groups.
Maida further outlined a multi-stakeholder approach necessary to: explore innovative financing models to attract investment in rural telecommunications, leverage emerging technologies and alternative power solutions for sustainable connectivity, and promote policies that incentivise collaborative participation in connectivity projects.
Calling for decisive action, he stated “Let us harness our collective expertise, resources, and innovative capabilities to build a resilient and sustainable telecommunication infrastructure that will empower millions of Nigerians. We must remember that collaboration remains the cornerstone of sustainable development in this sector.”
Expressing confidence in the outcomes of the forum, he stated that the deliberations would lead to actionable solutions, driving progress, fostering economic development, and transforming lives through improved connectivity in even the most remote areas of the country.
Maida further urged all stakeholders to remain steadfast in their collective efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that no community is left behind in Nigeria’s journey toward digital inclusion. “Together, we can build a future where digital connectivity is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” he added.
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