Telecoms: Rural connectivity is a collective action, shared mission –NCC, Stakeholders

*Telecoms industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators dissect Nigeria’s digital divide and explore how collaborations, investments, and sound policies can accelerate consumers’ access to digital connectivity in underserved areas

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Stakeholders in the Nigerian telecommunications sector have dissected the country’s digital divide, and explored how collaborations, investments, and sound policies could fast-track consumers’ access to digital connectivity in underserved areas.

The industry stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, at the maiden edition of the 2025 Rural Connectivity Summit, in Lagos, described the forum as “a resounding success!”

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC

They also noted the impressive turnout and depth of discussions by the participants reaffirmed that connecting rural Nigeria is “a shared national mission”, one that demands collective action of all.

Speaking on the forum, the organisers, in a statement, said while government policies and coordination remain central to this mission, true impact would be powered by the expertise, experience, and innovation of the private sector of the economy.

Organisers of the Rural Connectivity Summit also stated: “We’re deeply grateful to all participants, partners, and supporters who made this inaugural edition remarkable.

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“Together, we achieved something great, and we’re already inspired to make the next edition even greater!”

In his welcome address on the occasion, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, Convener and Lead of the Rural Connectivity Initiative, emphasised the need for continued movement in the Nigerian telecoms ecosystem.

Azeez stated: “Let this gathering be remembered as the moment we all come together to move from talk to action, from plans to progress, and from intent to real impact.”

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) presented a keynote address titled: “Leaving Nobody Behind: Leveraging Regulatory Advantages to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital Divide”.

Maida to the participants in the Summit that the disparity in access to connectivity remains one of the biggest obstacles to inclusive development in the West African country’s digital ecosystem.

The EVC/CEO of NCC reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring “universal and meaningful connectivity” for all telecoms consumers in the ecosystem.

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The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman also urged a collective action among the government, operators, other telecoms industry stakeholders, and communities to protect telecoms assets, expand Broadband infrastructure, and unlock the economic potential of rural Nigeria.

23 percent of rural communities have Internet access, says Maida

Giving insight into the level of Internet access across rural communities in the country, Maida revealed that only 23 percent of rural communities have access to the Internet.

The NCC Chief, nonetheless, said this scenario compared to 57 percent obtainable in the urban areas in Nigeria.

The development, he stated, has continued to wide the digital divide in Nigeria.

On some practical measures to address the connectivity issue in rural communities, the Chief Executive of the Commission averred that without “deliberate intervention”, millions of Nigerians would remain excluded from education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that mainly depend on digital connectivity.

According to him, lack of connectivity in rural areas is not just a development issue, but a national security concern.

Maida further said: “A community without digital connectivity is functionally invisible, cut off from modern education, healthcare, markets, and opportunity.

“This ‘digital invisibility’ is an unacceptable situation we must act decisively to end.”

Earlier, the organisers had announced Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a speaker at the first Rural Connectivity Summit this year.

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