From Lagos.
,,,,, NCC boss stresses critical role of USPF in expanding access to telecommunication services in unserved, underserved areas.
Dr. Bosun Tijani.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy,
(C).UNITAR.
Dr.Aminu Maida.
EVC,NCC
(C). Facebook.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy,has called for the urgent need for collective action from the public and private sectors to accelerate progress in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
He made the call on Thursday
at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, where industry leaders and stakeholders gathered for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Stakeholder’s Engagement Session.
The minister stressed the importance of government initiatives such as the National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN) and Project BRIDGE.and underscored the government’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure nationwide.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can access high-quality internet services,” he declared.
The minister also introduced flagship initiatives designed to enhance Nigeria’s connectivity landscape, including Project 774, which aims to provide high-speed broadband to every local government, and the Universal Access Project, targeting 20 million Nigerians with access to digital services.
He described these projects as essential to unlocking the nation’s digital economy and fostering inclusive growth.
Tijani, however ,point out that bridging Nigeria’s digital divide is not a task for the government alone.
“Sustainable development requires strong partnerships across all sectors,” he emphasized
Dr. Tijani called for a holistic approach that involves telecommunications companies, infrastructure providers, development partners, and local communities.
The minister advocated for increased collaboration to develop innovative financing models and integrate emerging technologies, such as alternative power solutions, into connectivity projects.
He outlined four key pillars for achieving successful collaboration: community engagement, leveraging existing infrastructure, capacity building, and sustainable solutions.
The minister urged stakeholders to adopt a localized approach to their initiatives, ensuring that projects are tailored to address the unique challenges of different communities.
Dr. Tijani elaborated on the importance of digital literacy and skills training and emphasized that access to the internet is only meaningful if users have the skills to utilize it productively.
He encouraged partnerships with educational institutions and training organizations to help equip Nigerians with the necessary digital competencies.
Dr. Tijani reiterated the need for actionable outcomes from the engagement and urged all participants to use the platform to foster partnerships that will contribute to the long-term success of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.
He called for a unified effort to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of geographic location, is connected to the digital world by 2030.
In his address of welcome,Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized the critical role that the USPF plays in expanding access to telecommunication services in unserved and underserved areas,to fostering strategic collaborations to address Nigeria’s connectivity challenges.
Maida,who acknowledged the evolving nature of the telecommunications industry, stressed the need for innovative and collaborative solutions to deliver sustainable connectivity.
“This engagement aims to enhance USPF interventions through key insights and partnerships that will build a more connected future,” he said.
Maida noted that addressing the digital divide requires more than just the deployment of infrastructure, adding that it also requires building a robust ecosystem where all stakeholders, including citizens, are empowered to fully engage with the digital economy.
This, he added, is in line with the federal government’s broader goals of fostering economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion through digital transformation.
According to the organizers,the session also aimed to open a dialogue on developing effective strategies to overcome the technological and financial barriers hindering widespread access to communication networks.
Another focal point of the session was the exploration of innovative financing models to drive investments in rural telecommunications.
With much of Nigeria’s population still lacking reliable access to telecommunication services, the role of the private sector in providing funding and technical expertise is pivotal.
In this regard,experts at the session discussed various funding mechanisms, from public-private partnerships to venture capital, that could accelerate the rollout of services in underserved areas.
The event brought together influential figures, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, and executives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO) among other attendees.
Representatives from the private sector, including telecom operators and technology providers, also shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities they face in expanding connectivity.
It also featured presentations on the progress of key projects, such as the installation of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and the development of backbone transmission infrastructure.
The session ended with a renewed sense of purpose, with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to working together to bridge the digital divide and build a resilient telecommunication infrastructure in Nigeria.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
