NCC Reaffirms Commitment to Expanding Broadband Access in Underserved Plateau Communities

NCC Reaffirms Commitment to Expanding Broadband Access in Underserved Plateau Communities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging its regulatory mandate to expand broadband access to underserved communities, describing this effort as central to unlocking the vast opportunities enabled by robust digital connectivity.

This position was reiterated on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, to the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos.

During the visit, the Commission identified Plateau State as a strategic and indispensable partner in advancing Nigeria’s national broadband agenda. It cited the state’s strong educational base, expanding innovation ecosystem, vibrant youth population, and forward-looking policy environment as key enablers of digital transformation.

Speaking during the engagement, Makama stated:

“The NCC has identified Plateau State as a pivotal partner in Nigeria’s broadband agenda—not ceremonially, but strategically. The state possesses critical assets, including reputable educational institutions, a growing innovation ecosystem such as nHub, a pool of talented youth, and a governor whose policy direction—ranging from the Right of Way framework to the TechFest initiative—demonstrates the political will required to drive digital infrastructure development.”

She, however, acknowledged the persistent connectivity gaps across several rural local government areas, noting that many communities remain excluded from the digital economy. “Bridging this divide is a shared responsibility, and the NCC is fully prepared to play its part,” she added.

Makama described the visit as the beginning of a strategic engagement aimed at aligning the Commission’s regulatory tools and interventions with the state’s development priorities. These include supporting the implementation of the Right of Way policy and leveraging the NCC’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to extend connectivity to underserved communities across the state.

She emphasized that the Commission’s recognition of Plateau State is based on measurable indicators of digital readiness, including recent policy reforms and commitments made during the Plateau TechFest, which signal a conducive environment for broadband expansion and innovation-led growth.

In his response, Governor Mutfwang commended the NCC for recognizing the state’s digital potential, describing the visit as both timely and significant, especially as the administration has designated 2025 as the year of digital innovation.

The Governor stressed the importance of transitioning from policy frameworks to tangible, high-impact implementation, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme to establish an innovation hub at Plateau State Polytechnic, as well as an existing Memorandum of Understanding with Solitran to accelerate broadband deployment across the state.

Underscoring the economic potential of the digital sector, Mutfwang also announced plans to launch a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) initiative aimed at creating at least 500 remote jobs for young people in Jos. He emphasized the urgency of acting swiftly to capitalize on time-sensitive opportunities and maintain competitive advantage.

The Governor further called for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to digital transformation, expressing concern over outdated administrative systems and advocating for the rapid adoption of modern, technology-driven solutions to improve governance, enhance service delivery, and unlock opportunities in e-commerce and innovation.