Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC. Engr. Abraham Oshadami (5th right), Representing the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Commissions in a Group, in Abuja.

In a swift move that marks a significant step toward expanding digital inclusion and energy access across the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, and the Rural Electrification Agency REA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU, to accelerate the deployment of telecommunications and electricity infrastructure in underserved rural communities.

Signing the pact marked a highpoint of a stakeholders’ workshop with the theme: “Unlocking the Energy–Telecoms Nexus for Scalable Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria,” bringing together government agencies, telecommunications operators, renewable energy developers, tower companies and financial institutions.

Part of the objectives of the agreement is to to improve coordination between Nigeria’s telecommunications and energy sectors by integrating infrastructure planning, sharing geospatial data and jointly implementing projects aimed at reducing deployment costs and improving service delivery in rural and unserved communities.

Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who spoke shortly after the signing ceremony, noted reliable electricity and digital connectivity remain complementary pillars of economic development, adding that neither can deliver its full benefits without the other.

“When communities have access to reliable broadband connectivity, they gain opportunities for education, healthcare, financial inclusion and economic participation,” Maida said.

He explained that telecommunications infrastructure requires dependable power to operate efficiently, while electrified communities cannot fully leverage modern digital services without reliable internet connectivity.

According to him, the partnership will enable both agencies to align infrastructure investments through coordinated planning and data sharing.

Under the agreement, the REA will provide the NCC with geospatial information on existing, planned and newly electrified communities, including mini-grid projects and solar home system clusters. In return, the NCC will share data on current and planned projects under its Universal Service Provision Fund USPF, to help identify communities lacking both electricity and telecommunications services.

“The objective is to ensure that both agencies work from a common map of Nigeria’s connectivity and energy gaps, enabling more efficient deployment of infrastructure,” Maida said.

The Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the NCC, Abraham Oshadami, said the collaboration would help improve network availability by connecting telecommunications base stations to renewable energy infrastructure in areas without access to the national electricity grid.

According to him, the agencies will identify mobile base stations located near existing or planned mini-grids, allowing operators to draw electricity from nearby renewable energy installations.

“This approach will ensure that telecommunications base stations remain operational even in off-grid communities, where renewable mini-grids can provide a reliable source of electricity,” Oshadami said.

He added that the initiative would improve mobile and broadband coverage in rural Nigeria while supporting broader socio-economic development through increased access to digital services.

Meanwhile, Executive Director, Technical Services, REA, Umar Umar, who also spoke during the event, said the MoU formalises collaboration between two agencies that have long pursued similar development objectives independently.

According to him, the partnership would focus on data sharing, joint infrastructure mapping and coordinated implementation of projects designed to maximise the impact of public investment.

“The NCC and REA have established a joint technical committee to identify priority communities and develop pilot projects that integrate renewable energy with telecommunications infrastructure.

“We are combining our telecom coverage maps with electricity access data to identify locations where investments from both sectors can complement one another,” he said.

“The outcome will be data-driven pilot projects that provide practical models for future nationwide deployments.”

It is expected that the synergy among both agencies of government would also create opportunities for wider stakeholder participation in refining implementation strategies and scaling successful projects.

Industry stakeholders believe that the partnership has the potential to reduce infrastructure deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate the expansion of broadband and electricity services to millions of Nigerians living in underserved and unserved communities.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader digital economy and energy transition objectives by promoting integrated infrastructure planning, renewable energy adoption and expanded digital access.

The workshop attracted senior government officials, telecommunications service providers, tower companies, renewable energy developers, infrastructure investors and development partners, who explored strategies for strengthening collaboration between the telecommunications and energy sectors to support sustainable economic development and digital inclusion across the country.