• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 21, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Tech | Business | Economy
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • StartUPs
      • Chidiverse
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
    • Appointment
  • TECHECONOMY TV
  • Apply
  • TBS
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • Chidiverse
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • StartUPs
      • Chidiverse
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
    • Appointment
  • TECHECONOMY TV
  • Apply
  • TBS
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • Chidiverse
No Result
View All Result
Tech | Business | Economy
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Business Telecoms

Universal Access: 20 million Nigerians Lack Access to Digital Services

by Peter Oluka
March 14, 2025
in Telecoms
0
NCC | USPF | ITU | Universal Access
NCC | USPF | ITU | Universal Access

NCC | USPF | ITU | Universal Access

UBA
Advertisements

In recent years, broadband penetration has been growing significantly, bringing millions more Nigerians online and enabling new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.

However, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is concerned that under the Universal Access provisioning, more than twenty million (20 million) Nigerians are still on the fringes of digital transformation who are yet to have access to reliable connectivity.

Universal access means ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, has equal opportunity and access to services and products that benefit them.

Dr. Tijani, speaking at a-day Industry-focused Stakeholder’s Engagement Session of the USPF held in Lagos in collaboration with the ITU and supported by the UK FCDO.

With a focus on ‘Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth’, the Minister said that over the last 25 years, Nigeria has made significant strides in expanding connectivity and strengthening our digital technology infrastructure.

“In recent years, broadband penetration has been growing significantly, bringing millions more Nigerians online and enabling new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.

“Today however, there are still millions of Nigerians on the fringes of digital transformation who are yet to have access to reliable connectivity.

“Many communities—particularly rural areas—face significant barriers, including inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy. These gaps not only hinder personal and business growth but also limit the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy”.

He thus, described the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) a critical instrument in the Federal Government’s mission to extend connectivity to these communities.

“By supportinginfrastructureexpansion,fosteringlocalinnovation,anddrivinginclusive policies, the USPF aligns with the His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR)’s goal of enabling meaningful and affordable connectivity for all Nigerians. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, is also actively driving transformative projects aimed at unlocking digital opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

NCC | USPF | ITU | Universal Access
Advertisements
MTN ADS
A group photograph

He enumerated some of the flagship initiatives to close this divide, as;

“Project BRIDGE (90,000km Fibre Optic Expansion) which is designed to significantly improve broadband penetration across Nigeria by extending fibre optic infrastructure to all regions.

“Project 774: This initiative ensures that every local government secretariat in Nigeria benefits from high-speed connectivity, fostering grassroots digital transformation.

“The Universal Access Project (Nigeria): A game-changing initiative targeted at connecting over 20 million Nigerians who currently have no access to digital services.

“The National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN): Our multi-stakeholder effort to drive collaboration across government and private sector to drive universal high quality broadband access

“The 3 Million Technical Talent programme (3MTT): Which is strengthening our talent pipeline to deliver a workforce to improve the digital ecosystem.

He said these projects are not just focussed on infrastructure; but also about enabling businesses, empowering individuals, and unlocking the full economic potential of Nigeria’s digital landscape as we work towards a 1 Trillion Dollar Economy”

“However, bridging this digital divide is not a task for the government alone.

“Sustainable and impactful progress requires strong partnerships across the public and private sectors, development agencies, civil society, and local communities.

To ensure effective collaboration, he said stakeholders must focus on four key pillars: Community engagement; leveraging existing infrastructure; capacity building, and sustainable solutions.

Earlier, Dr. Aminu Maida, the EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission said that the engagement, themed: ‘Strengthening Partnership for Sustainable Telecommunication Infrastructure in the Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,’ reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to telecommunications services for all Nigerians, especially those in unserved and underserved communities.

He also urged all stakeholders to take decisive steps toward strengthening partnerships and innovations tailored to address local challenges/needs and align with current realities.

“Let us harness our collective expertise, resources, and innovative capabilities to build a resilient and sustainable telecommunication infrastructure that will empower millions of Nigerians. We must remember that collaboration remains the cornerstone of sustainable development in this sector”, he said.

Loading

0Shares
Tags: 3MTTUniversal AccessUniversal Access Project
Peter Oluka

Peter Oluka

Peter Oluka (@peterolukai), editor of Techeconomy, is a multi-award winner practicing Journalist. Peter’s media practice cuts across Media Relations | Marketing| Advertising, other Communications interests. Contact: peter.oluka@techeconomy.ng

Next Post
QNET and Silver Stevie Awards

QNET Receives Triple Silver at the Stevie Awards

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recommended

Xperien Auction Website

Xperien Launches New Auction Website for Bulk Used Technology

10 months ago
Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience

All is Set for Second Edition of Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience

2 years ago

Popular News

    Connect with us

    • About
    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • Contact Us

    © 2025 TECHECONOMY.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • News
    • Tech
      • DisruptiveTECH
      • ConsumerTech
      • How To
      • TechTAINMENT
    • Business
      • Telecoms
      • Mobility
      • Environment
      • Travel
      • StartUPs
        • Chidiverse
      • TE Insights
      • Security
    • Partners
    • Economy
      • Finance
      • Fintech
      • Digital Assets
      • Personal Finance
      • Insurance
    • Features
      • IndustryINFLUENCERS
      • Guest Writer
      • EventDIARY
      • Editorial
      • Appointment
    • TECHECONOMY TV
    • Apply
    • TBS
    • BusinesSENSE For SMEs

    © 2025 TECHECONOMY.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    Translate »
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.