The Universal Service Provision Fund of the Nigerian Communications Commission has partnered with the International Telecommunication Union and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to accelerate broadband expansion in unserved and underserved communities across the country.
The collaboration was highlighted at an industry-focused stakeholders engagement session held in Lagos recently. Organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund of the Nigerian Communications Commission, in partnership with the UK FCDO and the ITU, the session aimed to deepen rural connectivity and drive socio-economic development.
The event gathered key stakeholders, including Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida; state ICT commissioners; telecom executives; trade associations; and development partners.
The Secretary of the USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, said the engagement reflected its shared vision and commitment to expanding inclusive connectivity and that the presence of all other stakeholders at the event underscored the vital role of collaboration in achieving the goal.
He said the theme of this workshop, ‘Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,’ highlighted the government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide, in alignment with NCC’s Strategic Focus Areas, the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, and Presidential Priority Areas.
“Together, we have the power to create sustainable and inclusive pathways to ensure no community is left behind. Achieving this requires strong partnerships among government, private sector, non-governmental organisations, development partners, and community leaders. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” he said.
The USPF Secretary stated that ahead of the session, the USPF gathered input from stakeholders through questionnaires.
He said the responses obtained shaped the panel discussions, focused on key strategies to foster connectivity through collaboration and partnerships, strengthened capacity building and security, and explored innovative funding mechanisms for sustainable connectivity.
He said the engagement, thus, offered a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions that address our unique challenges and help improve telecommunications access in underserved regions while encouraging participants to actively participate, share their expertise, and contribute to shaping outcomes that will strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem and improve the lives of all Nigerians.
“This event marks the beginning of a collective journey toward a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria. USPF is proud to lead this effort, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together,” he said.