USPF Secretary commends ITU, UK FCDO for Strengthening rural connectivity

The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, has praised 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 the nation’s socio-economic growth.

Arowosafe made this commendation during an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session held over the weekend in Lagos. The event, organized by the USPF in partnership with the UK FCDO and the ITU, underscored ongoing efforts to achieve extensive network coverage in Nigeria’s unserved and underserved communities.

The engagement session was attended by top government officials and industry leaders, including the Hon. 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; key industry players; trade associations; development partners; and staff of both the NCC and the USPF.

In his address, Minister Tijani reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to advancing policies and initiatives aimed at expanding digital connectivity to drive national socio-economic transformation.

Similarly, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Maida, emphasized the Commission’s determination to support USPF projects through robust regulatory measures that will accelerate the deployment of critical digital infrastructure aligned with the Federal Government’s priority areas and ministerial blueprint.

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Speaking at the event, Arowosafe reaffirmed USPF’s dedication to fostering inclusive connectivity. He noted that the presence of key stakeholders highlighted the importance of collaboration in realizing this shared vision.

“The theme of this workshop, ‘Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,’ reflects our collective commitment to bridging the digital divide. This aligns with the NCC’s Strategic Focus Areas, the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, and the Presidential Priority Areas,” he said.

Arowosafe stressed that meaningful digital inclusion requires strong partnerships across government bodies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), development partners, and community leaders.

“Together, we have the power to create sustainable and inclusive pathways to ensure no community is left behind. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” he emphasized.

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Arowosafe highlighted that the engagement provided a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions to improve telecommunications access in underserved regions.

He encouraged active participation from attendees, urging them to share their expertise and contribute to shaping actionable outcomes that will enhance Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and improve the quality of life for all citizens.

“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.