By George Ozalla
L- R: Engr Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)/ Board Member Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF); Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman, NCC/Vice Chairman, USPF Board; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Hon Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy/ Chairman, USPF Board; Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO, NCC; Barr. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, NCC/ Board Member USPF, during the Inauguration Ceremony of USPF Board on the 27th March 2026 at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel.
The Federal Government has formally inaugurated the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund, setting the stage for a renewed push to extend telecommunications services to communities still outside the reach of reliable connectivity.
The ceremony took place in Abuja, drawing senior officials from the communications sector, with the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, presiding over the event as chairman of the board. Also in attendance were key figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission and other stakeholders charged with guiding the fund’s direction.
Addressing the gathering, Tijani pointed to the uneven spread of digital infrastructure across the country, noting that access remains limited in many rural areas despite steady growth in the sector. He stressed that expanding coverage must go hand in hand with practical impact, especially in sectors such as education, healthcare and small-scale enterprise.
He said the board is expected to refocus efforts on delivering connectivity that improves everyday life, rather than simply increasing network presence without corresponding value for users.
The minister also referenced ongoing federal initiatives aimed at strengthening broadband penetration, including fibre expansion and additional telecom infrastructure, while acknowledging that gaps between urban centres and remote communities still persist.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, described the inauguration as a necessary step in repositioning the fund to better serve its mandate, noting that much of the country’s data usage growth has remained concentrated in cities.
Participants at the event echoed the need for closer coordination and a results-driven approach to ensure that interventions under the fund translate into measurable improvements in access and inclusion.
The Universal Service Provision Fund operates under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and is designed to support the expansion of telecommunications services to underserved and unserved areas, with a focus on closing the digital gap across Nigeria.
