The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, has expressed deep worries over recent statistics, which revealed that only 23 per cent of rural communities across Nigeria currently have access to the internet. This figures compare to 57 per cent of urban areas, which underscores the deepening digital divide between cities and rural dwellers.

made the disclosure on Wednesday in Lagos Speaking in Lagos, Wednesday during the Rural Connectivity Summit, organised by the Rural Connectivity Initiative, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, warned that the persistent disparity in internet access remains one of the country’s greatest challenges to inclusive growth and national development.

The NCC-boss, who delivered a keynote address entitled: “Leaving Nobody Behind: Leveraging Regulatory Advantages to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital Divide”, described the lack of digital connectivity in Nigeria’s rural communities as not only a development challenge but also a national security concern.

“A community without digital connectivity is functionally invisible, cut off from modern education, healthcare, markets, and opportunity. This ‘digital invisibility’ is an unacceptable situation we must act decisively to end,” he stated.

Dr. Maida further noted that Nigeria’s broadband penetration currently stands at 48.81 percent, and research has shown that a 10 percent increase in broadband penetration can boost national GDP by up to 1.38 per cent, demonstrating that internet access is directly linked to economic growth and national competitiveness.

He disclosed that as part of measures to tackle the rural connectivity gap, the Commission, through its Universal Service Provision Fund USPF, has been implementing targeted interventions to expand digital access in underserved and unserved communities.

“Through programmes such as the Rural Broadband Initiative RUBI and the Accelerated Mobile Phone Expansion AMPE, we are supporting infrastructure deployment in commercially non-viable areas,” he said.

“The USPF has implemented more than 2,500 education projects and delivered over 100,000 computers to schools nationwide.”

Dr. Maida further highlighted the NCC’s efforts in promoting e-health and accessibility projects, which are connecting remote health centres to larger hospitals through telemedicine and providing assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.

Commending progress made by several state governments on the issue of Right-of-Way RoW, charges, the EVC noted that 11 states have adopted zero RoW charges, while 17 others have implemented the ₦145 per linear metre benchmark. He urged remaining states to follow suit to reduce the cost of broadband deployment and speed up infrastructure rollout.

However, Maida expressed concern over the increasing rate of vandalism and theft targeting telecom facilities nationwide.

“Between January and August 2025 alone, operators recorded more than 19,000 fibre cuts and over 3,000 cases of equipment theft. These acts not only delay service delivery but also erode investments and degrade the quality of experience for millions of Nigerians,” he lamented.

Reaffirming the NCC’s commitment to ensuring universal and meaningful connectivity, Dr. Maida called for collective action from government agencies, telecom operators, and host communities to protect telecom assets, accelerate broadband expansion, and unlock the full economic potential of rural Nigeria.

“Connectivity is not just about internet speed—it is about opportunity, inclusion, and national prosperity,” he said emphatically.