Nigeria accelerates rural connectivity drive: Tinubu’s govt partners ITU, UK to bridge digital divide

Nigeria Unveils Collaborative Blueprint to Connect 30 Million Underserved Citizens by 2027. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), ITU, and UK FCDO forge alliance to expand telecom access, boost digital economy,

In a major push to democratise digital access, the Nigerian government has reinforced its commitment to bridging the nation’s connectivity gap through strategic partnerships with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

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The initiative, spearheaded by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), aims to connect 30 million Nigerians in rural and underserved communities by 2027, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to transform Nigeria into a $1 trillion digital economy.

“Only 45% of rural Nigerians have internet access (NBS 2023). Through President Tinubu’s Rural Broadband Initiative, we’re partnering with stakeholders to ensure no community is left behind.,” said
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

Tijani added: “Connectivity isn’t a luxury—it’s a gateway to education, healthcare, and economic inclusion.”

Key Announcements & Commitments

1. Policy Framework: Tinubu’s administration to fast-track approvals for rural telecom infrastructure, including tax waivers for tower deployments in unserved areas.
2. Funding Boost: UK FCDO pledges significant support including grants to subsidize last-mile connectivity projects in Nigeria.
3. Tech Partnerships: ITU to deploy AI-driven network optimization tools to reduce deployment costs by 40%.

Event Highlights

Held in Lagos, the USPF-led stakeholder session themed “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth” brought together NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, state ICT commissioners, telco CEOs, and development partners.

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“NCC will streamline right-of-way permits and slash bureaucratic delays. States like Katsina and Cross River have already waived levies, cutting deployment time from 18 months to 6,”said Maida.

Strategic Focus Areas

• Infrastructure: Deploy 10,000km of fiber optic cables to link 200 rural clusters by 2025.
• Security: Partner with states to protect telecom assets amid rising vandalism (₦7.5B losses in 2023).
• Capacity Building: Train 50,000 locals in tower maintenance and digital entrepreneurship.

“This collaboration isn’t just about towers and fiber. We’re building ecosystems—digital hubs with e-learning, telemedicine, and e-agriculture tools. Our survey of 5,000 rural households informed today’s action plan, prioritizing security and localized solutions,” said Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, USPF Secretary.

Why Nigeria Collaborative Blueprint Matters

• Economic Impact: 10% increase in broadband penetration can boost GDP by 2.5% (World Bank).
• Youth Empowerment: 60% of Nigeria’s unconnected are under 25—a demographic critical to the digital economy.
• Global Alignment: Supports UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure) and AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy.

The Roadmap 

• Q3 2024: Pilot projects launch in Niger, Ebonyi, and Sokoto states.
• Q4 2024: National stakeholders’ summit to review progress and unlock additional funding.