NCC Targets Rural-Urban Gap as Telecom Usage Surges 160% in Two Years

…Urges USPF to Move Beyond Basic Access Toward Meaningful Connectivity

The Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Aminu Maida, has urged the USPF Board to prioritise meaningful connectivity in efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.

The EVC said this while addressing stakeholders at a Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) event organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday in Abuja..

According to him, the leadership of the  Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani and the oversight of multiple agencies has been demanding, adding that the inauguration of the USPF board would help reduce the workload and improve efficiency in delivering on its mandate.

“The work of USPF is really about closing gaps. Historically, the focus has been on access gaps, especially in areas where it is not commercially viable for mobile network operators to operate,” he said.

He explained that in the early days of telecommunications expansion, operators concentrated on rolling out basic access, while USPF intervened in underserved and unserved communities.

He said that Nigeria had evolved beyond that stage, calling for a shift toward ensuring that connectivity translated into tangible socio-economic benefits.

According to him, recent data shows significant growth in the telecommunications sector, with usage increasing by about 160 per cent in the past two years.

He said that much of the growth was concentrated in urban areas, thereby widening the gap between connected and unconnected populations.

“When we drill down, we see that a lot of that growth is actually in urban centres. So, the gap between those who are not connected or not meaningfully connected is growing,” he said.

The NCC boss said that the development placed a responsibility on the USPF board to intensify efforts at closing both access and usage gaps across the country.

He acknowledged ongoing initiatives and stressed that infrastructure alone was not sufficient.

“When you get into these communities, it is about having the right platforms that enable people to be productive. Connectivity must go beyond social media, to support economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

Maida expressed optimism about the board’s capacity to drive impactful interventions, adding that its work would be critical to achieving inclusive digital development.

He reiterated the importance of leveraging connectivity to empower citizens, enhance productivity and ensure that no community was left behind.

The EVC also expressed confidence that the board’s contributions would strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and improve the quality of life for citizens.