NCC Enhances Broadband Initiatives in Plateau, Targeting Rural Areas

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its dedication to utilizing its mandate to enhance broadband accessibility for neglected communities in Plateau State. This initiative is a cornerstone of its broader strategy to enable people to benefit from the opportunities that come with enhanced connectivity.

This declaration was made during a courtesy visit from Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at the NCC, to Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Government House in Jos.

NCC emphasized the importance of Plateau State as a vital ally in advancing Nigeria's broadband agenda, highlighting the state's robust education system, emerging innovation landscape, youthful demographics, and political framework that endorses digital transformation.

Ms. Makama stated, "Plateau State has been identified as a crucial ally in Nigeria's broadband initiative; this recognition isn’t symbolic but is based on strategy. The state boasts educational institutions, an innovative ecosystem like nHub, and a Governor whose public commitments—from Right of Way policies to the TechFest declaration—demonstrate the political resolve needed for digital infrastructure development."

Makama continued, “While we recognize these strides, we must also be candid: numerous rural local government areas remain underserved and disconnected from the digital economy that is vital for enhancing their living standards. Addressing this gap is a mutual responsibility, and the NCC is prepared to play its role."

She stated that this visit marks the initiation of ongoing discussions, emphasizing that the NCC is genuinely eager to identify synergies between its objectives and Plateau State’s developmental goals. This includes assisting in operationalizing Right of Way policies and examining ways the NCC's Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) could reach underserved communities throughout the state.

Makama highlighted that the NCC's endorsement of Plateau State is grounded in tangible indicators of digital potential already observed in the area. She cited ongoing reforms like support for the Right of Way policy and commitments from the state government made during the Plateau TechFest as evidence of the administration's readiness to foster an environment that enables broadband growth and innovation. She noted that aligning such policies is essential in establishing the infrastructural foundation necessary for sustained digital advancement.

Despite the promising digital landscape in Plateau, the executive commissioner recognized that many rural local government areas are still without adequate connectivity, hindering access to educational resources, business innovation, and digital services.

Governor Mutfwang praised the NCC’s acknowledgment of Plateau State’s digital capabilities, calling the visit both timely and significant and aligning it with his administration’s objective to establish 2025 as a year devoted to digital innovation.

He stressed the importance of translating policy agreements into effective actions with far-reaching impacts, particularly in burgeoning fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), mentioning ongoing partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to set up an innovation hub at Plateau State Polytechnic, and an existing MoU with Solitran aimed at hastening broadband deployment across the state.