Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has praised the partnership between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO) for supporting efforts to expand rural connectivity across Nigeria.
Arowosafe made this commendation during an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session held over the weekend in Lagos. The event, organized by USPF in collaboration with the ITU and UK FCDO, aimed to further discussions on expanding network connectivity in Nigeria’s unserved and underserved communities.
The session brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Faruk Yabo; NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida; Chief Executives of telecom companies, State ICT Commissioners, industry leaders, trade associations, development partners, and staff from both the NCC and USPF.
In his remarks, Dr. Tijani reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to driving policy initiatives that will enhance national connectivity and boost Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Dr. Maida also affirmed NCC’s dedication to supporting USPF projects with effective regulatory frameworks that accelerate the deployment of critical digital infrastructure.
Highlighting the essence of the session, Arowosafe stated that the engagement aligned with USPF’s vision of expanding inclusive connectivity. He noted that the event theme, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,” underscored the government’s dedication to bridging Nigeria’s digital divide.
“This session reflects our shared commitment to ensuring no community is left behind. Achieving this goal requires strong partnerships among government agencies, the private sector, NGOs, development partners, and community leaders,” Arowosafe said.
He emphasized that by sharing resources and insights, stakeholders could develop tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges.
Ahead of the session, USPF collected input from stakeholders through questionnaires, which shaped the panel discussions. The conversations focused on strategies to foster connectivity through partnerships, strengthen capacity building and security, and explore innovative funding mechanisms for sustainable infrastructure.
According to Arowosafe, the engagement provided a platform for practical dialogue aimed at overcoming Nigeria’s unique connectivity challenges, improving telecom access in underserved regions, and encouraging participants to actively contribute towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“This event marks the beginning of a collective journey toward a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria. USPF is proud to lead this effort, and we look forward to achieving great milestones together,” Arowosafe concluded.
