The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding broadband access to underserved communities in Plateau State.
The Head of Public Affairs, NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ukoha said the move is central to the Commission’s broader efforts to improve access to opportunities enabled by robust connectivity.
“This position was reiterated during a courtesy visit by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Ms. Rimini Makama, to the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, at the Government House in Jos.”
During the visit, Makama described Plateau as a strategic and indispensable partner in advancing Nigeria’s national broadband agenda.
She cited the state’s strong educational base, growing innovation ecosystem, youthful population, and policy direction that supports digital transformation.
Makama said the NCC had identified Plateau as a pivotal partner in Nigeria’s broadband agenda—not ceremonially, but strategically.
“You have the educational institutions, the growing innovation ecosystem, and the youth talent.
“You also have a governor whose public commitments—from the Right of Way (RoW) 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 Local Government Areas (LGAs) remain underserved, cut off from the digital economy that could transform their livelihoods,” she said.
She noted that bridging the divide is a shared responsibility and that the NCC is ready to play its part.
Makama added that the visit marked the beginning of deeper engagement, expressing the Commission’s willingness to align its mandate and instruments with Plateau’s development agenda.
She said this includes supporting the operationalisation of the RoW policy and leveraging the NCC’s Universal Service Provision Fund to reach underserved communities across the state.
According to her, the Commission’s recognition of Plateau is based not on symbolism, but on clear indicators of digital potential already visible in the state.
She added that the RoW policy and commitments demonstrated through the state’s TechFest reflect the administration’s readiness to create an enabling environment for broadband expansion and innovation-driven growth.
“Such policy alignment is critical to building the infrastructure foundation required for sustainable digital development,” she said.
Despite the state’s growing digital promise, Makama noted that many rural LGAs remain underserved and excluded from the benefits of reliable connectivity.
She said persistent access gaps continue to limit opportunities for education, enterprise, innovation, and access to digital services.
In his response, Gov. Mutfwang commended the Commission for recognising Plateau’s digital potential.
He emphasised the need to move from policy discussions to practical, high-impact implementation, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
The governor said ongoing initiatives, including collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish an innovation hub at Plateau State Polytechnic, are aimed at accelerating broadband deployment across the state.
He also 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.
Mutfwang underscored the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to digital transformation.
He stressed the need for rapid adoption of modern, technology-driven systems to enhance governance, improve service delivery, and unlock opportunities in e-commerce and innovation.
