The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe has commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO) for their collaboration with the Nigerian government to enhance rural connectivity and drive socio-economic development.
Arowosafe gave the commendation at an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session held in Lagos over the weekend. The session, organised by the USPF in partnership with the UK-FCDO and ITU, aimed to build on existing efforts to extend network connectivity to unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Permanent secretary of the Ministry, Faruk Yabo; Executive vice-chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, as well as chief executives of telecommunications companies, state ICT commissioners, industry players, trade associations, development partners and staff of the NCC and USPF.
Speaking at the session, Tijani reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to creating policies and initiatives that drive digital inclusion and greater connectivity across Nigeria. He emphasised that expanding digital access is critical to transforming the country’s socio-economic landscape. Similarly, Maida reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting USPF projects through effective regulatory measures that facilitate the rapid deployment of essential digital infrastructure aligned with the Federal Government’s development priorities.
Arowosafe highlighted that the engagement session underscored USPF’s commitment to inclusive connectivity. He noted that the presence of key stakeholders reflected the importance of collaboration in bridging Nigeria’s digital divide. He emphasised that the workshop’s theme, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,” demonstrated the government’s dedication to expanding digital access in line with NCC’s strategic focus areas, the ministry’s Strategic Blueprint and the 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 the government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners and community leaders. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” Arowosafe stated.
Ahead of the session, the USPF had gathered stakeholder input through questionnaires to shape panel discussions. According to Arowosafe, responses helped identify key strategies for strengthening collaboration, building capacity, enhancing security and exploring innovative funding mechanisms to ensure sustainable rural connectivity.
He noted that the engagement session provided a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions to Nigeria’s connectivity challenges. It also encouraged participants to actively contribute their expertise toward 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,” Arowosafe added.
