The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding broadband access to underserved communities, particularly in Plateau State, as part of its broader mandate to deepen digital inclusion and unlock socio-economic opportunities through connectivity.
This commitment was reiterated 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 in Jos.
During the engagement, the NCC described Plateau State as a strategic partner in advancing Nigeria’s national broadband agenda. The Commission highlighted the state’s strong educational institutions, vibrant innovation ecosystem including hubs such as nHub as well as its youthful population and supportive policy direction as key indicators of its digital potential.
Ms. Makama noted that the NCC’s recognition of Plateau State is rooted in strategy rather than symbolism, pointing to ongoing reforms such as the Right of Way policy and commitments made during the Plateau TechFest as clear signals of political will toward digital transformation. She emphasized, however, that despite these strengths, many rural local government areas remain underserved and disconnected from the digital economy.
According to her, bridging this connectivity gap is a shared responsibility. She described the visit as the beginning of deeper collaboration between the NCC and the Plateau State Government, with a focus on aligning regulatory tools and initiatives such as the Universal Service Provision Fund—to extend broadband access across underserved communities in the state.
Ms. Makama further stressed that expanding connectivity is critical to unlocking opportunities in education, enterprise, and innovation, noting that limited access continues to hinder development in many rural areas.
In his response, Governor Mutfwang welcomed the NCC delegation and commended the Commission for recognizing Plateau’s digital potential. He described the visit as timely, aligning with his administration’s declaration of 2025 as the year of digital innovation in the state.
The Governor emphasized the importance of transitioning from policy frameworks to practical implementation, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish an innovation hub at Plateau State Polytechnic, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with Solitran to accelerate broadband deployment across the state.
He also announced plans for a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) initiative aimed at creating employment opportunities for at least 500 young people in Jos through remote work. The Governor stressed the urgency of executing such initiatives to position the state competitively in the digital economy.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to digital transformation, Governor Mutfwang called for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, noting the need to modernise administrative systems, improve service delivery, and unlock opportunities in e-commerce and innovation.
The engagement underscores a growing alignment between federal regulatory efforts and state-level initiatives, signaling a renewed push to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and ensure inclusive access to the benefits of broadband connectivity.
