NCC, Stakeholders battle Rural Connectivity Challenges

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has collaborated with the Association for Progressive Communications and other Institutional Stakeholders towards addressing Challenges confronting Rural Network Connectivity in Nigeria.   

A Statement signed by Acting Head, Public Affairs of the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, says Collaboration resulted in a Two-Day Workshop hosted in Abuja from June 3-4, 2025, to explore Policy Framework for enabling Community Networks towards bridging the Digital Divide and accelerating Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria’s Underserved and Unserved Communities.

The Forum brought together Regulators, Community Leaders, Technical Experts and Potential Foreign Investors, among others, to examine Policy and Regulatory barriers, explore Innovative Funding Mechanisms, ensure Sustainable Renewable Solutions and strengthen Collaboration with Stakeholders.

Addressing Participants at the Workshop, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Aminu Maida, said the Workshop is important to bridging the Digital Divide in Nigeria and foster Inclusive Social Economic development.

“This 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,” said Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC at the Event, Abraham Oshadami.

Maida said the Workshop demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to advancing Digital Inclusion, particularly in Underserved and Unserved Areas. “At NCC, we recognise the Transformative Potential of Community Center Networks in achieving this important goal,” he said.

The EVC said NCC was committed to “this Journey and views this Workshop as a catalyst for meaningful change,” stating that 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, noted that the Collaboration was to tackle identified hindrances 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 said, adding emphasising the need to recognise that Community Centre Connectivity exists and they are grown throughout the Global South, which, she said, are a “Strategic response to Digital Exclusion.”

The Workshop featured Presentations from the NCC, the Association for Progressive Communications and other Institutional Stakeholders such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) all geared towards exploring a Joint Policy Framework to address Rural Digital Divide.

The Association for Progressive Communications is a 35-year-old International Network Member-Based Organisation encouraging Digital Inclusion in the Unserved Communities, particularly with Communities in the Global South and the Workshop, through its LocNet Initiative aimed at crafting an Enabling Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Community Networks in Nigeria.

Credit NCC PR

I wonder why People criticise naming Abuja Conference Centre after Tinubu - Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he has no regret naming Abuja International Conference Centre after President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said this in Abuja on Friday, during the Inauguration of the completed 15-Kilometre Left Hand Service Carriage Way of OSEX Stage II, from Ring Road I to Wassa Junction.

Criticism followed the naming of the rehabilitated Abuja International Conference Centre after Tinubu, shortly after it was reopened on Tuesday.

Others described expending N39bn to renovate the Edifice as a misplaced priority.

Reacting, Wike wondered why some People were criticising the naming of the Conference Centre after Tinubu.

According to him, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was not built by Azikiwe and Moshood Abiola National Stadium was not built by Abiola.

He added that those criticising the rehabilitation of the Centre do not have good taste.

“I have done it, and I have no regret at all,” Wike said.

He said that the only thing that was not changed in the Centre was the Structure saying, “everything in that Centre was changed”.

He expressed dismay that instead of commending Tinubu for doing very well, some People derived pleasure in indulging in baseless criticism.

Wike said those who described the N39bn spent on the Renovation of the Centre as a misplaced priority had lost track of time and the changing Exchange Rate of Naira to a Dollar.

“They said that the Centre was built with N240 million, but which year? 1991.

“What was the Exchange Rate in 1991 compared with today? Look at it, 1991 and we are now in 2025.

“Nobody who loves this Country will criticise the Rehabilitation of the International Conference Centre,” he said.

The Minister said that Nigeria was seen as the Giant of Africa, adding that People must see what makes the Country the Giant of Africa.

“We deserve the best for the Country and Mr President has given us the best,” he said. 

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline

Nigeria's Economy now attracting Investors’ Confidence, says Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rebuilding the Nation’s Economy, restoring Investors’ Confidence, and deepening Democratic Values.

Idris made this known in an Engagement with Forbes Africa to mark the Democracy Day Celebration.

This is contained in a Statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Friday in Abuja.

The Minister defended President Bola Tinubu’s bold Reform Agenda, which includes the Removal of Fuel Subsidies and the Unification of Foreign Exchange Rates.

According to the Minister, Removal of Fuel Subsidy and Unification of the Foreign Exchange Rates are the two most significant Policy Shifts in Nigeria’s recent Economic History.

“These were difficult Decisions that had to be made. They caused some turbulence, but like an Aircraft taking off, we are now reaching stability. The World Bank has noted our return to Growth Levels not seen in over a Decade.

“This year’s Observance of Democracy Day invited not just Celebration, but sober reflection on the Journey of Democratic Consolidation and Economic Renewal.

“Funds recovered from the Fuel Subsidy Removal are being reinvested directly into Critical Infrastructure Projects.

“These include two Expansive Highway Corridors that will span over 1,700 Kilometres, aimed at unlocking Economic Activity and bridging Regional Divides. The aim is not just Connectivity, but Economic Opportunity.

“Nigeria is really retracing its steps. It is becoming an Important Nation once again among the Comity of Nations. The respect that Nigeria used to have is now gradually returning. Investors have more Confidence in our Country,” Idris noted.

He further reiterated that the Reforms under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are not just about Economic Arithmetic, but about creating a new Foundation for Inclusive Growth, Accountability and Sustainable Development. 

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline