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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has taken steps toward addressing poor network connectivity in rural Nigeria by proposing a policy framework to enable the licensing and operation of community networks in underserved and unserved areas.
This move was the highlight of a two-day workshop held in Abuja, in collaboration with the Association for Progressive Communications and other institutional stakeholders, aimed at dismantling regulatory obstacles and promoting digital inclusion in disadvantaged communities.
The forum brought together regulators, community leaders, technical experts, and potential foreign investors to deliberate on policy and licensing bottlenecks, explore innovative funding options, promote sustainable energy solutions, and strengthen collaboration for inclusive connectivity.
Addressing participants, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the commission is determined to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive socio-economic development through community-driven infrastructure.
“The workshop is an opportunity for all of us to harness the expertise, insights, and experiences of diverse stakeholders present here which includes the regulators, community leaders, technical experts and potential foreign providers to address the critical challenges such as affordable devices, access, licensing, spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, sustainability and institutional monitoring,” he said.
Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, said the initiative reflects NCC’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion.
“At NCC, we recognise the transformative potential of community center networks in achieving this important goal,” he added.
He described the workshop as a turning point, saying, “NCC is committed to this journey and views this workshop as a catalyst for meaningful changes. The expertise, perspectives and commitments will shape the future where every Nigerian, regardless of his or her status, will have meaningful access to opportunities from digital connectivity.”
In her remarks, Co-manager of the Association for Progressive Communications’ Local Network (LocNet) initiative, Kathleen Diga, said the collaborative effort was designed to address long-standing barriers to digital inclusion.
“This is a space where we can be open and exchange ideas of possibilities, opportunities that will remain in realising values of a diversified ecosystem,” Diga said.
“I believe this workshop presents a moment in time that we can explore the bottom-up approach in local communities, small social enterprises, corporative among others, which have the ability to fill some of the digital gaps that remain unfilled,” she added.
Diga also called attention to the growing presence of community networks in the global south, describing them as a strategic response to digital exclusion.
