The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Secretary, Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, has acknowledged the role of international partnerships in expanding digital access to remote areas in Nigeria.
He commended the collaborative efforts of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO) in supporting the Nigerian government’s push for improved rural connectivity.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos over the weekend, Arowosafe highlighted how such partnerships are vital to bridging Nigeria’s digital gap. The event, jointly organized by the USPF, ITU, and UK-FCDO, focused on enhancing telecommunications reach in areas with limited or no network coverage.
The engagement attracted key industry figures, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Faruk Yabo; the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida; state ICT commissioners, telecom executives, trade associations, and development agencies.
In his address, Dr Tijani emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to policies that foster digital transformation, stressing that improved connectivity is essential for national development.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s dedication to supporting USPF projects through regulatory measures aimed at accelerating the deployment of critical digital infrastructure.
Arowosafe described the forum as a testament to the government’s efforts to ensure inclusive digital growth, underlining that multi-sector collaboration remains key to sustainable connectivity expansion.
“This workshop, themed ‘Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,’ underscores Nigeria’s determination to close the digital divide.
“It aligns with the NCC’s strategic objectives, the Ministry’s development plans, and the Federal Government’s priority agenda,” he stated.
He further stressed that achieving nationwide connectivity requires coordinated efforts among government institutions, private enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and local communities.
He urged stakeholders to pool expertise and resources to develop sustainable solutions for long-term connectivity challenges.
Arowosafe also revealed that, before the event, the USPF had gathered feedback from industry players through surveys, which helped shape discussions on enhancing connectivity, strengthening security, and adopting innovative funding approaches for sustainable network expansion.
Encouraging active participation from attendees, he noted that the session served as a platform to identify practical solutions for improving telecommunications access in underserved regions.
“This gathering marks the beginning of a collective journey towards a digitally inclusive Nigeria.
“The USPF is proud to drive this initiative, and we anticipate significant progress through our joint efforts,” he concluded.
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