Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, Secretary of USPF, praised ITU and UK-FCDO for enhancing rural connectivity in Nigeria during an engagement session in Lagos. Key stakeholders, including government officials and industry executives, convened to discuss strategies for improving digital access in underserved areas. The session emphasized collaboration among government, private sectors, and communities to address connectivity challenges and drive socio-economic growth.
The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, praised the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO) for their partnership in promoting rural connectivity in Nigeria. This commendation occurred during an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session in Lagos, aimed at fostering network expansion to unserved and underserved areas.
The session convened several important participants, including Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, along with other notable officials from the Ministry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and telecommunications industry leaders. The meeting’s objective was to enhance collaboration in extending digital connectivity throughout Nigeria.
Dr. Tijani expressed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to policies aimed at increasing digital inclusion across Nigeria, emphasizing the necessity of digital access for socio-economic transformation. Similarly, Dr. Aminu Maida of the NCC displayed the Commission’s support for USPF initiatives through regulatory measures supporting critical infrastructure deployment, in alignment with national development goals.
Mr. Arowosafe emphasized the meeting’s role in underscoring USPF’s commitment to inclusive connectivity, highlighting the participation of key stakeholders as essential in addressing Nigeria’s digital divide. He reasserted the session’s theme—”Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth”—as a testament to the government’s determination to expand digital reach in accordance with strategic focus areas of both NCC and the Ministry.
He noted that building strong partnerships among governmental bodies, private sectors, NGOs, and community leaders is essential for creating inclusive solutions to connectivity challenges in Nigeria. Prior to the session, USPF had gathered stakeholder input via questionnaires, which helped refine discussions on collaboration, capacity building, and innovative funding.
Arowosafe stated that the engagement provided a crucial platform for dialogue aimed at finding practical solutions to Nigeria’s connectivity issues. Participants were encouraged to leverage their expertise to improve the country’s digital landscape and uplift the lives of Nigerians. He concluded by expressing pride in USPF’s leadership role in this initiative, marking the commencement of a journey toward a more connected and prosperous Nigeria.
The engagement led by the USPF, in collaboration with ITU and UK-FCDO, seeks to address the digital divide in Nigeria. By fostering partnerships among key stakeholders, the initiative aims to enhance rural connectivity and promote socio-economic development. The commitment from government and industry leaders highlights the importance of collaboration and tailored solutions to connect underserved communities effectively and sustainably.
Original Source: sciencenigeria.com
