Rural Connectivity Summit applauds NCC, others for contributions to expanding digital ecosystem

*Organisers of the recent maiden Rural Connectivity Summit, in Lagos, appreciate the contributions of the Nigerian Communications Commission, and several other industry stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, operators, infrastructure providers, innovators and development partners for exploring ‘new possibilities’ in the country’s digital ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Organisers of the recent Rural Connectivity Summit, in Lagos, have applauded the contributions of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and several other industry stakeholders as the curtain falls 2025.

ConsumerConnect reports the group, in a statement shared via verified social media account Wednesday, December 31, 2025, said as the curtain fell on the past year, it is crystal clear that “rural connectivity is no longer a side conversation” in the West African country.

Reforms: Nigeria’s determined to reduce inflation, deliver more gains, shared prosperity 2026 –Tinubu

Recalling the last maiden summit held October 2025, in Lagos, the Rural Connectivity Summit noted: “Your participation affirmed the summit’s growing role as a neutral dialogue platform where policy meets investment, technology meets impact, and ideas translate into action.”

The organisation further stated that it convened the maiden edition of the Rural Connectivity Summit, bringing together policymakers, regulators, operators, infrastructure providers, innovators and development partners around an urgent question: how do we connect the unconnected and explore new possibilities?

READ ALSO Tax Laws: Why NANS, ADC, LP, Others Kick As Implementation Begins In Nigeria

Hadiza Bala-Usman At 50: Tinubu Lauds Policy Coordination Aide For Commitment To National Service

Tax ID: Joint Revenue Board, NRS Announce Retrieval Portal Goes Live

Stakeholders in the Nigerian telecommunications sector, at the summit, dissected the concept of digital divide in Nigeria, and explored how collaborations, investments, and sound policies could fast-track consumers’ access to digital connectivity in underserved areas.

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

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.

Maida advocates ‘universal, meaningful connectivity’ for all consumers

Speaking at the summit in a keynote address titled: “Leaving Nobody Behind: Leveraging Regulatory Advantages to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital Divide”, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission, emphasised that the disparity in access to connectivity remains one of the biggest obstacles to inclusive development in the West African country’s digital ecosystem.

Maida, however, reaffirmed the telecoms sector regulatory Commission’s commitment to “universal and meaningful connectivity” for all telecoms consumers in the digital space.

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.

Appreciation for industry stakeholders

The Rural Connectivity Summit team Wednesday particularly, expressed special gratitude to Dr. Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO ofNCC; Tunji Jimoh of IHS Towers IHS Nigeria; Dapo Otunla, Dr. Olu Teniola of ipNX Nigeria Limited; Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, President of ALTON; and Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

Others are Infratel Africa, Tola Yusuf, PhD, PfD, MBA, Abba Aliyu, Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria; Ayotunde (Tunde) Coker of Open Access Data Centres (OADC); Wole Abu Adegoke, Juba Olabode Ojo, Dr. Krishnan Ranganath (Krish), Africa Data Centres Eugene Uka, Chidi Ajuzie, Abiola Jimoh, XChangeBOX – (MTN ’25); Ajibola Olude of ATCON, Segun Okuneye, Onemeguke Lucky, John Nwachukwu, Olumide Idowu, Chief AI Officer™, PMP®, Louisa Olaniyi, Adesanya Abdulfattah, Kayode Olaniyan, Akeem Adeshina, and Akeem Ogunkoya.

According to organisers of the Rural Connectivity Summit, “the conversations were honest, the perspectives were diverse: and “the commitment was real.”

They also said: “We thank every stakeholder who showed up for this important project, contributed insights and backed the vision.

The group averred that the Rural Connectivity Summit is fast positioning itself as “a critical convening point for stakeholders, shaping inclusive digital infrastructure and shared prosperity” in the digital space.

The group added: “This is only the beginning. As we close the year, we are already building towards Rural Connectivity Summit 2026.

“Expect deeper conversations, broader participation and clearer pathways to scale.

“To everyone working to bridge the connectivity gap: we move forward together.”

Kindly Share This Story