Collaboration is key to achieving digital inclusion – NCC boss Maida

On Thursday, March 13, Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized the importance of collaboration among all key stakeholders to achieve digital inclusion in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Industry-Focused Stakeholders’ Engagement Session of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in Lagos, Maida called for a unified effort from government agencies, mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, equipment manufacturers, development partners, and telecom trade groups.

This engagement aimed to bring industry leaders together to discuss strategies that will enhance USPF interventions, as well as to provide a platform for feedback to build stronger partnerships for Nigeria’s digital future.

Maida pointed out that the rapidly changing telecommunications landscape requires innovative and collaborative approaches to ensure long-term success in providing connectivity to underserved and unserved areas. He highlighted that the NCC, through the USPF, has been a leader in universal access initiatives that align with both national and global goals, such as bridging the digital divide and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

“The USPF has implemented successful projects like Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and Backbone Transmission Infrastructure, among others,” Maida said. “But to achieve digital inclusion, we must work together.”

He emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach and outlined several key areas for improvement, including:

• Exploring innovative financing models to attract investments in rural telecommunications
• Leveraging emerging technologies and alternative power solutions for sustainable connectivity
• Promoting policies that encourage collaboration in connectivity projects

Maida concluded by urging all stakeholders to take decisive action and harness their collective resources and expertise to build a resilient telecommunication infrastructure. “Collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable development in this sector,” he said.