In a powerful display of unity and shared vision, Nigeria’s Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, on Thursday called for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal connectivity across Nigeria.
Their joint appeal came during a high-level stakeholder engagement session in Lagos, organized by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO).
The event, themed “Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Telecommunication Infrastructure in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,” brought together government officials, industry leaders, development partners, and local communities to chart a unified path toward Nigeria’s digital future.
A Shared Vision for Digital Inclusion
Both Dr. Tijani and Dr. Maida emphasized the urgent need for collective action to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey. While acknowledging the significant progress made in expanding connectivity over the past 25 years, they highlighted the persistent challenges faced by millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural and underserved communities, who still lack access to reliable digital services.
Dr. Tijani outlined the Federal Government’s ambitious initiatives, including Project BRIDGE, a 90,000km fibre optic expansion project, and Project 774, which aims to provide high-speed connectivity to every local government secretariat. He also highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, designed to build a robust digital workforce. “We have the vision, the policy framework, and the will to connect every Nigerian to the digital economy,” Dr. Tijani said. “But we need your partnership to explore innovative ways to deliver on all elements of our plans.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Maida stressed the importance of tailoring solutions to local challenges and leveraging the expertise of all stakeholders. “Our solutions must address local needs and align with current realities,” he said. “Together, we can build a future where digital connectivity is a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
Four Pillars for Sustainable Progress
Both speakers identified four key pillars essential for achieving universal connectivity by 2030:
- Community Engagement: Understanding and addressing the unique needs of local communities to ensure that digital infrastructure solutions are relevant, accessible, and widely adopted.
- Leveraging Existing Infrastructure: Maximizing the value of current investments in networks, public facilities, and energy sources to optimize costs and accelerate deployment.
- Capacity Building: Integrating digital literacy programs, skills training, and entrepreneurship development into the broader connectivity strategy to ensure that Nigerians can fully utilize digital services.
- Sustainable Solutions: Exploring innovative business models, alternative energy solutions, and localized interventions to ensure long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
A Call to Action for All Stakeholders
Dr. Maida urged stakeholders to adopt a multi-stakeholder approach, emphasizing the need for innovative financing models, emerging technologies, and policies that incentivize collaboration. “To achieve digital inclusion, government agencies, mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, and development partners must work closely together,” he said. “Let us harness our collective expertise and resources to build a resilient and sustainable telecommunications infrastructure.”
Dr. Tijani reinforced this call, stating that bridging the digital divide is not a task for the government alone. “Sustainable and impactful progress requires strong partnerships across the public and private sectors, development agencies, civil society, and local communities,” he said. “Together, we can unlock the full potential of our nation’s most valuable resource—our people.”
A Defining Moment for Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
The event marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, with both leaders expressing confidence that the deliberations would lead to actionable solutions. They emphasized that the collaboration and commitment demonstrated at the engagement session would drive progress, foster economic development, and transform lives through connectivity in even the most remote corners of the nation.
As Nigeria continues its push toward a fully connected and digitally empowered future, the unified vision articulated by Dr. Tijani and Dr. Maida serves as a rallying cry for all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age.
