By Juliet Ebirim

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Monday launched the USPF Impact Alliance in Lagos. This new coalition aims to significantly expand inclusive education and digital access across Nigeria’s underserved communities, fostering sustainable public-private partnerships to achieve its goals.

The event brought together key stakeholders from the private sector to deliberate on strategies for sustaining digital infrastructure through collaborative efforts. The USPF, with its long-standing mandate to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, has a rich history of investment in educational projects, having supported over 2,500 initiatives since 2007. These interventions have seen the delivery of more than 100,000 computers and bespoke connectivity solutions to schools nationwide, facilitating remote learning, increasing school enrollment, and supporting computer-based testing even in the most remote areas.

Speaking at the launch, USPF Secretary Yomi Arowosafe articulated the vision for the new alliance. “The USPF Impact Alliance will lead innovation for universal service and access funds, accelerate digital inclusion in Nigeria, and guarantee the sustainability of the Federal Government’s investment in digital infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities,”

Echoing the importance of long-term viability, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the longevity of these digital investments. “Moving forward, what we’re saying is we don’t want the government to just put this money there without ensuring sustainability. One of the easiest ways to ensure sustainability is to ensure that we’re working with partners who also make the same investment, so that when we bring all together, we can go further in making our country proud,” the Minister stated.

The USPF Impact Alliance is strategically designed to enhance the sustainability of government investments in digital infrastructure, optimize the deployment of technological resources, and stimulate innovation. It is poised to unlock new opportunities for learning, empowerment and upward mobility for millions of Nigerians residing in hard-to-reach communities.