NCC recommits to expanding broadband access underserved Plateau communities
From: Deputy Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Lawrence Abang; Plateau State Deputy Governor, Josephine Piyo; Executive Governor, Plateau State Caleb Mutfwang; Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, NCC, Rimini Makama; Director, Digital Economy, NCC, Helen Obi during the Commission’s courtesy visit on the Plateau State Governor in Jos, Plateau State
Orisemeke Benjamin
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to fully leverage its mandate to deliver broadband access to underserved communities, which it said is central to its broader efforts of improving access to the opportunities that robust connectivity can unlock.
This position was reiterated on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Ms. Rimini Makama, to the governor of Plateau state, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, at the Government House in Jos.
The Executive Commissioner described Plateau state as a strategic and indispensable partner in the advancement of Nigeria’s national broadband agenda, citing the State’s strong educational base, growing innovation ecosystem, youthful population, and policy direction that supports digital transformation.
She said: “The NCC has identified Plateau State as a pivotal partner in Nigeria’s broadband agenda; not ceremonially, but strategically. 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”.
“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.
She further stated that the visit was “the beginning of a conversation” and that the NCC has a genuine desire to explore how its mandate and instruments can align with Plateau state’s “development agenda, from supporting the operationalisation of Right of Way policy, to exploring how the NCCs Universal Service Provision Fund can reach underserved communities across Plateau’s LGAs.”
Ms. Makama said the Commission’s recognition of Plateau State is based not on symbolism, but on clear indicators of digital potential already visible in the State. She pointed to ongoing reforms, including Right of Way policy support and commitments made by the State Government at the Plateau TechFest, as evidence of the administration’s willingness to create an enabling environment for broadband expansion and innovation-led growth.
According to her, such policy alignment is critical to building the infrastructure foundation required for sustainable digital development.
Receiving the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management of the NCC, Governor Mutfwang commended the Commission’s recognition of the state’s digital potential. He described the visit as both timely and significant, aligning with the administration’s declaration of 2025 as the year of digital innovation.
The governor emphasised the need to move from policy discussions to practical, high-impact implementation, particularly in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence.
He noted ongoing initiatives, including collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on establishing an innovation hub at Plateau State Polytechnic, and an existing Memorandum of Understanding with Solitran to accelerate broadband deployment statewide.
Highlighting the economic opportunities within the digital sector, Governor Mutfwang announced plans for a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) initiative designed to create jobs for at least 500 young people who will work remotely from Jos.
