L – R; Barrister Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Mgt, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Engr. Abba Abubakar, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, REA; Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Engr. Abdullahi Umar, Executive Director Technical Services, REA, during the Inauguration of the NCC-REA Collaboration Committee recently (on the 27th June 2025), at the NCC Boardroom, Abuja.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially launched the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), to drive the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure—a move aimed at expanding digital and energy access in underserved communities.
The inauguration took place on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the NCC headquarters in Abuja, with NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, and REA’s Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, in attendance alongside senior officials from both agencies.
In his remarks, Dr. Maida described the collaboration as a strategic response to two critical national needs—connectivity and energy. “This partnership allows us to bridge existing gaps by leveraging renewable energy to power telecom infrastructure, especially in areas where access to both power and connectivity is limited,” he said.
He emphasized that the initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting inclusion, reducing disparities, and creating opportunities for more Nigerians to participate in the digital economy. “We are not just building towers or installing solar panels; we are creating access, enabling learning, business, and life-changing services,” he added.
Dr. Maida called on the committee to be innovative and results-driven in delivering practical solutions that will have real impact.
REA’s Managing Director, Mr. Aliyu, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential, noting that sustainable energy is key to expanding telecom services in off-grid communities. He affirmed REA’s readiness to work hand-in-hand with NCC to deliver long-term benefits to millions of Nigerians.
The joint committee will focus on developing frameworks to deploy renewable energy to telecom sites, improve coordination through data sharing, align investment strategies, and measure results through performance indicators. Their work will play a central role in advancing Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan and sustainable development goals.
This committee represents a model for inter-agency collaboration, demonstrating how unified action can address infrastructure gaps and drive inclusive national progress.
