NCC and Plateau State Partner to Expand Rural Broadband Access
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to utilize its full regulatory mandate to bring broadband access to underserved communities, describing the move as essential for unlocking economic opportunities.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Ms. Rimini Makama, to the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, at the Government House in Jos. During the session, the Commission identified Plateau State as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s national broadband agenda, pointing to the state’s educational institutions, innovation hubs, and youthful population as key drivers for digital transformation.
“The NCC has identified Plateau State as a pivotal partner in Nigeria’s broadband agenda; not ceremonially, but strategically,” Ms. Makama said. “You have the educational institutions, the growing innovation ecosystem at nHub and beyond, the youth talent, and now a Governor whose public commitments; from the Right of Way policy to the TechFest declaration, signal the political will that digital infrastructure demands.”
Despite the state’s digital promise, the Commission noted that many rural Local Government Areas remain cut off from the benefits of reliable connectivity. Ms. Makama described the visit as the start of a deeper collaboration to align the NCC’s instruments, including the Universal Service Provision Fund, with the state’s development goals.
“We have taken notice. At the same time, we must be honest: many rural LGAs remain underserved, cut off from the digital economy that could transform their livelihoods. Bridging that divide is a shared responsibility, and the NCC is ready to fulfil its part,” she declared.
Governor Mutfwang welcomed the delegation, noting that the visit coincides with his administration’s declaration of 2025 as the year of digital innovation. He expressed a desire to move beyond policy discussions into practical implementation, specifically in fields such as Artificial Intelligence.
The Governor detailed ongoing initiatives, including a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish an innovation hub and a Memorandum of Understanding with Solitran to speed up broadband deployment. He also announced a new Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) initiative aimed at creating remote jobs for at least 500 young people in Jos.
Governor Mutfwang called for a modern, technology-driven approach to governance to replace outdated administrative practices. He noted the urgency of seizing these digital opportunities to ensure the state does not lose its competitive advantage in e-commerce and innovation.
