By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA — The Federal Government has inaugurated the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) with a renewed push to expand rural connectivity and drive deeper digital impact across underserved communities.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the new board comes at a critical time when Nigeria must move beyond basic access to ensuring meaningful use of digital infrastructure.

Dr Tijani noted that while Nigeria has recorded strong growth in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, millions of citizens, especially in rural areas, remain unconnected or poorly connected, limiting their participation in the digital economy.

“The work that is being done at both NCC and USPF are quite critical for the future that we are all hoping and wishing for our country. I believe that the opportunity to be part of that, in one shape or the other, is something that is worth celebrating. So congratulations.

“Globally, we’ve all seen that nations that succeed today are those who prioritise connectivity. Because we live in a world where the foundation for productivity, inclusion and innovation is now based on digital technologies, which is impossible without deep connectivity,” he said.

The minister highlighted government’s effort through investment in digital infrastructure, including 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network and about 4,000 telecom towers, noting that Nigeria is committing close to $2 billion to fibre deployment. “But we all know that despite the progress and the investments that we’ve made, there are still millions of our citizens that are not connected or not properly connected.”

Emphasising the need for a shift in focus, Dr Tijani stressed that USPF must go beyond providing access to ensuring that connectivity translates into real economic and social value for citizens. “It is not enough to connect a community. We must ensure that schools are able to teach with digital tools. That small businesses can access opportunities in the market,” the minister added.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said the inauguration of the board marks a significant step after years of operating without a robust structure. He noted that while Nigeria has seen strong data growth, much of it is concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural and underserved communities further behind.

He reiterated the minister’s strategic vision for a digital Nigeria, stressing the need to shift from merely closing access gaps to enabling productive use of connectivity. He added that digital access must translate into economic growth and improved livelihoods for all Nigerians.

In his remark, Secretary of the USPF, Mr Yomi Arowosafe, emphasised that expanding connectivity to unserved and underserved communities remains a collective responsibility that requires strong collaboration among stakeholders. He congratulated the board, noting that its role would be critical in translating policies into measurable impact, strengthening ongoing initiatives, and driving sustainable socio-economic development through improved digital inclusion.