Coalition Applauds NCC’s Efforts to Enhance Rural Connectivity and Economic Development

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) extensive rural broadband expansion and infrastructure rollout has been praised by the Coalition for Inclusive Digital Growth (CIDG), which describes it as a key factor in fostering social inclusion, economic growth, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s underprivileged communities.

According to a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday and signed by its President, Peter Ezza, the CIDG said the NCC, led by its Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has shown uncommon foresight in making sure that digital transformation extends beyond urban areas and deeply into rural and remote communities.

According to Ezza, the NCC has recently implemented policies and projects that have greatly reduced the connectivity gap in a number of regions of the nation where people previously had little to no access to dependable internet services. These initiatives range from the licensing of more infrastructure companies to the deployment of additional base transceiver stations.

The basis of contemporary economic activity is connectivity, which is no longer a luxury. Through the expansion of broadband access to underserved and rural areas, the NCC has enabled millions of Nigerians to access online education, engage in the digital economy, increase agricultural output by utilizing real-time information, and connect to wider markets. Sustainable growth is propelled by this type of regulatory leadership, according to Ezza.

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The Commission was also commended by the CIDG for its success in luring significant investments into the telecom industry in spite of global economic challenges.

The alliance referenced recent data showing that the industry has continuously attracted multi-billion-dollar commitments from domestic and international investors, mostly because of a stable and progressive regulatory framework supported by the NCC.

“Wherever there is stability, growth opportunity, and predictability, investors will go. He continued, “Nigeria is a desirable location for telecom and tech investments because the NCC has established incentives for network expansion, given clear policy direction, and maintained industry standards.”

Apart from infrastructure, the coalition praised the NCC’s continuous regulatory changes, claiming that they have not only updated the telecoms framework but also equipped the industry to meet future demands such as the rollout of 5G, emerging technologies, and the growing convergence of e-commerce, fintech, and telecoms.

According to the statement, the NCC has made equally significant efforts to improve consumer protection and cybersecurity preparation.

The Commission has increased public trust in the digital ecosystem, according to Ezza, by educating consumers about online safety, enforcing data protection laws, and making sure service providers have met quality standards.

In many rural regions, where cyber awareness has historically been poor, he noted, consumer outreach efforts led by the NCC have enhanced knowledge of online threats and promoted safer digital practices. In order to make sure that new internet users are connected and safe, he contended that this is a crucial component.

According to the CIDG, strengthened ties between rural economies and national value chains, a rise in e-commerce in local markets, better access to health information, and an increase in entrepreneurial activity are all signs of the positive benefits of rural broadband adoption.

“In a rural community, every new base station is a beacon of potential, not just a tower. Health professionals have used telemedicine platforms to save lives, farmers have checked commodity prices before selling, and young individuals have launched enterprises online. “These are the real, transformative effects of the NCC’s rural connectivity initiative,” Ezza said.

The alliance called on the Commission to keep up the momentum, emphasizing that meeting Nigeria’s goals for inclusive growth, poverty alleviation, and global competitiveness will need consistent investment in rural connectivity.

“The NCC can make sure that no Nigerian is left behind in the digital age with the correct support and ongoing commitment,” the statement continued.