The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, has pledged its commitment towards ensuring unrestricted access to telecommunications services for all Nigerians, especially those in unserved and underserved communities.

Speaking at the industry-focused stakeholders’ engagement session held in Lagos, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, assured that the commission was working with relevant stakeholders to ensure unrestricted access to telecommunication services to rural communities in the country.

The stakeholders’ engagement session was organised under the auspices of the NCC’s Universal Service Provision Funds USPE, in collaboration with the International Communications Union ITU, and supported by the UK FCDO, with the theme: Strengthening Partnership for Sustainable Telecommunication Infrastructure in the Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth.’

Maida noted explained that the theme of the event reflects the NCC’s collective commitment to ensuring equitable access to telecommunications services for all Nigerians, especially those in unserved and underserved communities.

“Today’s meeting is particularly aimed at bringing key industry stakeholders together to provide valuable insights on strategies that can be adopted to enhance USPF interventions and serve as a feedback mechanism to build partnerships for Nigeria’s digital future.

“It goes without saying that the USPF acknowledges the crucial role of collaboration, strategic partnerships and complementary efforts to achieve sustainable development.

“Additionally, the evolving telecommunications landscape necessitates innovative and collaborative approaches to ensure long-term viability in delivering connectivity to unserved and underserved populations.

“The NCC, through the USPF, has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at providing universal access and universal service”, he said.

According to him, these efforts align with broader national and global goals, including bridging the digital divide, promoting universal access, fostering economic growth, social inclusion, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals “SDGs 4” (Quality Education) and 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

The NCC-boss further noted that over time, the USPF has successfully implemented several projects under its access and connectivity programmes.

“Given the focus of this event, it is important to highlight key connectivity projects, such as the deployment of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), Backbone Transmission and Infrastructure, amongst others.

“This engagement serves as a vital platform to discuss practical strategies to enhance the impact of these projects through strengthened partnerships.

“Without doubt, to achieve digital inclusion, government agencies, mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, equipment manufacturers, development partners, and telecom trade groups must work closely together.

“It is for this reason that a multi-stakeholder approach is essential to explore innovative financing models to attract investment in rural telecommunications, Leverage emerging technologies and alternative power solutions for sustainable connectivity, and promote policies that incentivize collaborative participation in connectivity projects.

“Crucially, I must mention that our solutions must be tailored to address local challenges/needs and align with current realities.

“I am confident that the deliberations from this engagement will lead to actionable solutions that will dive progress, foster economic development, and ultimately transform lives through connectivity in the most remote corners of our nation.”

He further used the occasion to urge all stakeholders to take decisive steps toward strengthening partnerships, calling on them to harness collective expertise, resources, and innovative capabilities to build a resilient and sustainable telecommunication infrastructure that will empower millions of Nigerians.

According to him, stakeholders must remember that collaboration remains the cornerstone of sustainable development in the sector.