By Eniola Phillips
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has sealed a strategic partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand broadband and mobile connectivity in underserved and unserved communities across the country.
The initiative, born out of a recent meeting between NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria Country Director, Uche Amaonwu, aims to close the nation’s digital divide by improving access and tackling affordability gaps in telecommunications infrastructure.
In a statement obtained by journalists, the regulator emphasised that collaboration was central to delivering transformative digital access.
“We recognise the central role of partnerships and collaboration. This is why we are working with the Gates Foundation to deliver critical projects that strengthen our regulatory oversight, enhance our capacity to address consumer complaints, and protect our digital community,” the NCC said.
Beyond connectivity expansion, the discussions also explored ways to boost regulatory oversight and reinforce consumer protection frameworks in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
The new collaboration builds on earlier joint efforts, notably the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, launched in June with up to $7.5 million in Gates Foundation funding. The AI hub brings together government agencies, private tech firms, academia, and development partners to drive adoption of mature AI solutions in health, agriculture, and education.
With this renewed partnership, both organisations are setting their sights on ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the digital economy.
