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 in enhancing rural connectivity for socio-economic development.
Arowosafe made the commendation at an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session held over the weekend in Lagos. The session, organized by the USPF in collaboration with the UK FCDO and ITU, aimed to advance efforts to expand network connectivity in unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.
The event was attended by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Faruk Yabo; the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida; Chief Executives of telecommunications companies, State ICT commissioners, industry leaders, trade associations, development partners, and key stakeholders.
Dr. Tijani reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing policy direction and initiatives that foster greater connectivity to drive Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. Dr. Maida also emphasized the NCC’s dedication to supporting USPF projects through regulatory measures that facilitate the deployment of digital infrastructure in line with government priorities.
Arowosafe described the engagement as a reflection of the USPF’s commitment to inclusive connectivity, noting that the presence of various stakeholders underscored the importance of collaboration in bridging Nigeria’s digital divide. He highlighted the workshop’s theme, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,” as a testament to the government’s dedication to digital inclusion, in alignment with the 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,” Arowosafe said. “Achieving this requires strong partnerships among government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (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.”
He noted that stakeholder input, gathered through pre-session questionnaires, helped shape panel discussions focusing on strategies for fostering connectivity through partnerships, strengthening capacity building and security, and exploring innovative funding mechanisms.
The engagement, Arowosafe added, provided a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions to improve telecommunications access in underserved regions. He encouraged participants to actively contribute to shaping policies that would strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and improve livelihoods.
“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 concluded.