By George Ozalla
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the deployment of sustainable digital infrastructure across Nigeria through the integration of renewable energy solutions with telecommunications infrastructure.
The agreement was signed during the NCC-REA Stakeholders’ Forum and MoU Signing Ceremony held at the NCC Annex Office Auditorium, Mbora, Abuja, with stakeholders describing the initiative as a major step towards expanding broadband access and reliable electricity in underserved communities.
The forum, themed “Unlocking the Energy-Telecoms Nexus for Scalable Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria,” brought together senior government officials, telecommunications operators, tower companies, renewable energy developers, financiers, development partners and other key industry players to chart practical pathways for improving digital connectivity through sustainable energy solutions.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the partnership as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive digital connectivity and energy access.
He said reliable electricity and digital connectivity are mutually reinforcing foundations of an inclusive and productive economy, stressing that communities without stable power supply struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while those without connectivity are unable to maximise the benefits of electrification.
Oshadami explained that the partnership provides a practical framework for aligning telecommunications and rural electrification programmes through coordinated planning, shared infrastructure and renewable energy solutions.
According to him, the REA will provide geospatial data on existing and planned electrification projects, while the NCC will share information on current and planned Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) deployments to enable both agencies jointly identify connectivity and energy gaps for more effective planning and implementation.
He added that the collaboration would also explore opportunities to power telecommunications infrastructure, including base stations and fibre repeater sites, through REA’s off-grid renewable energy projects, while encouraging the co-location of telecom infrastructure on REA-developed energy assets where technically feasible.
The Executive Commissioner noted that the initiative would reduce deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate digital connectivity in underserved communities across the country.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, represented by the Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, said Nigeria’s digital economy depends largely on reliable energy infrastructure.
He noted that renewable energy mini-grids provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to diesel-powered telecommunications sites, adding that the collaboration would create commercially viable opportunities for telecom operators and renewable energy developers.
According to him, reliable power and universal connectivity are complementary priorities that, when delivered together, reduce costs and extend access to more communities.
The workshop featured technical presentations by the NCC-REA Collaboration Committee on geospatial analysis, pilot project opportunities and implementation strategies, as well as panel discussions on financing models, policy and regulatory issues, and infrastructure planning.
Oshadami urged stakeholders to move beyond expressions of support by identifying practical financing mechanisms, commercial models and regulatory frameworks capable of translating the initiative into sustainable, large-scale projects.
The MoU is expected to strengthen collaboration between the NCC and the REA in advancing the Federal Government’s digital economy and rural development agenda through improved infrastructure planning, expanded broadband connectivity, increased adoption of renewable energy in telecommunications networks and the delivery of resilient, scalable and sustainable digital infrastructure across Nigeria.
