NCC, stakeholders deepen efforts to tackle rural connectivity challenges
BY MOTOLANI OSENI
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has joined forces with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and several institutional stakeholders to address the persistent challenges facing rural network connectivity in Nigeria.
This collaboration culminated in a two-day high-level workshop held in Abuja from June 3 to 4, 2025, which focused on developing a policy framework to enable community networks as part of efforts to bridge the digital divide and promote socio-economic development in Nigeria’s underserved and unserved communities.
The forum brought together a broad coalition of regulators, community leaders, technical experts, institutional stakeholders, and potential foreign investors to examine key issues such as policy and regulatory barriers, innovative funding mechanisms, sustainable renewable energy solutions, and strengthened multilateral collaborations aimed at advancing rural connectivity.
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In his address to participants, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, emphasised the importance of the workshop in narrowing Nigeria’s digital divide and fostering inclusive economic growth. Represented by the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Mr Abraham Oshadami, Maida said: “This workshop presents an opportunity for all of us to harness the expertise, insights, and experiences of diverse stakeholders present here, which include regulators, community leaders, technical experts, and potential foreign providers, to address critical challenges such as affordable devices, access, licensing, spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, sustainability and institutional monitoring.”
Dr Maida reaffirmed NCC’s strong commitment to promoting digital inclusion, especially for unserved and underserved areas.
“At NCC, we recognise the transformative potential of community-centred networks in achieving this important goal,” he said.
“We are fully committed to this journey and view this workshop as a catalyst for meaningful change. The expertise, perspectives, and commitments gathered here will shape a future where every Nigerian, regardless of status, enjoys meaningful access to digital opportunities.”
Also speaking at the event, the Co-manager of the Association for Progressive Communications’ Local Network (LocNet) initiative, Ms Kathleen Diga, explained that the collaboration seeks to address long-standing obstacles to digital inclusion.
“This is a space where we can be open and exchange ideas about possibilities and opportunities that remain untapped in building a diversified ecosystem,” Diga stated.
She stressed the significance of a bottom-up approach that empowers local communities, small social enterprises, and cooperatives to play an active role in closing the country’s digital gaps.
“I believe this workshop presents a moment for us to explore local solutions. Community-centred connectivity already exists and continues to grow throughout the global south as a strategic response to digital exclusion,” she added.
The workshop featured presentations and technical sessions from the NCC, the Association for Progressive Communications, and key institutional players, including the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), all aimed at designing a joint regulatory framework to address the rural digital divide.
The Association for Progressive Communications, a 35-year-old member-based international network, has long championed digital inclusion across unserved communities globally, particularly within the Global South. Through its LocNet initiative, the organisation seeks to develop inclusive regulatory frameworks that can strengthen community networks in Nigeria and support the broader objective of expanding equitable digital access.
