The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, has emphasized the need for closer collaboration between government agencies, mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, equipment manufacturers, development partners, and telecom trade groups to achieve digital inclusion across Nigeria.
Maida made the call during the Industry-Focused Stakeholders’ Engagement Session of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) held in Lagos on Thursday. The session brought together key players in the telecommunications sector to provide insights on strategies to enhance USPF interventions and build partnerships for Nigeria’s digital future.
Dr. Hammajam A. Adamu, Special Adviser on ICTs, E-Governance, and Policies, was among the panelists who contributed to the discussions. He highlighted Adamawa State’s commitment to digital transformation, emphasizing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s recent initiatives, including the Zero Right of Way policy and broadband expansion projects aimed at bridging the digital divide.
During his address, Maida stressed that innovative and collaborative approaches are essential to ensure long-term success in delivering connectivity to unserved and underserved populations. He noted that the NCC, through the USPF, has been leading efforts to provide universal access, aligning with national and global goals such as bridging the digital divide, fostering economic growth, and promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
The EVC outlined key areas where stakeholders must focus to accelerate digital inclusion:
- Exploring innovative financing models to attract investment in rural telecommunications.
- Leveraging emerging technologies and alternative power solutions to enhance sustainable connectivity.
- Promoting policies that encourage collaborative participation in connectivity projects.
Maida urged all stakeholders to take decisive steps toward strengthening partnerships and harnessing collective expertise, resources, and innovation to build a resilient telecommunications infrastructure that will empower millions of Nigerians.
“We must remember that collaboration remains the cornerstone of sustainable development in this sector,” he concluded.
The engagement session reaffirmed the commitment of industry players and policymakers to achieving universal digital access while fostering a stronger public-private partnership framework for sustainable telecommunications infrastructure development in Nigeria.