The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has received praise from the Coalition for Inclusive Digital Growth (CIDG) for its extensive rural broadband expansion and infrastructure rollout, characterizing it as a key factor in fostering social inclusion, economic growth, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s underprivileged communities.
The CIDG said in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday and signed by its President, Peter Ezza, that the NCC, led by its Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has shown uncommon foresight in making sure that digital transformation extends beyond urban areas and deeply into rural and remote communities.
According to Ezza, the NCC’s recent initiatives and policies—which range from expanding the number of infrastructure companies licensed to installing more base transceiver stations—have greatly reduced the connectivity gap in a number of regions of the nation where people previously had limited or no access to dependable internet services.
“Connectivity is the cornerstone of contemporary economic activity and is no longer a luxury. The NCC has enabled millions of Nigerians to engage in the digital economy, access online education, increase agricultural productivity through real-time information, and connect to wider markets by extending broadband connectivity to underserved and rural areas. Sustainable growth is fueled by regulatory leadership like this, according to Ezza.
The Commission’s ability to draw significant investments into the telecom industry in spite of global economic challenges was also commended by the CIDG.
According to current data presented by the alliance, the industry has continuously attracted multi-billion-dollar pledges from domestic and international investors, mostly because of a stable and progressive regulatory environment supported by the NCC.
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“Where there is growth potential, predictability, and security, investors will always go. Nigeria is a desirable location for telecom and ICT investments because of the NCC’s clear policy direction, incentives for network expansion, and adherence to industry standards,” he continued.
In addition to infrastructure, the coalition praised the NCC’s continuous regulatory reforms, claiming that they have modernized the telecoms framework and equipped the industry for upcoming demands such as the rollout of 5G, emerging technologies, and the growing convergence of e-commerce, fintech, and telecoms.
The statement asserts that the NCC’s efforts to improve consumer protection and cybersecurity preparedness have been equally significant.
According to Ezza, the Commission has increased public trust in the digital ecosystem by educating consumers about online safety, enforcing data protection laws, and making sure service providers adhere to quality standards.
He noted that NCC-led consumer communication initiatives have raised knowledge of online dangers and promoted safer digital practices in many rural regions, where cyber awareness has historically been low. He maintained that this is a crucial element in guaranteeing that new internet users are both connected and safe.
Increased entrepreneurship, the growth of e-commerce in local markets, better access to health information, and closer ties between rural economies and national value chains are all examples of the repercussions of rural broadband penetration, according to the CIDG.
In a remote community, each new base station serves as a beacon of possibility rather than merely a tower. We have witnessed health professionals use telemedicine platforms to save lives, farmers check commodities prices before selling, and young individuals launch enterprises online. These are the observable, transformative effects of the NCC’s push for rural connection,” Ezza said.
The coalition called on the Commission to keep up the momentum, emphasizing that ongoing investment in rural connectivity will be necessary to meet Nigeria’s goals for poverty alleviation, inclusive growth, and global competitiveness.
“The NCC can guarantee that no Nigerian is left behind in the digital age with the correct backing and sustained dedication,” the statement continued.
