Technology
UK Partners Nigeria to Expand Digital Access to Underserved Communities
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom has extended a helping hand to the federal government to collaborate on promoting and providing digital access to underprivileged communities in Nigeria.
This was made known in the Digital Access Programme, where representatives and stakeholders were hosted including the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday.
Serving as the first Nigeria Technical Conference on the Right of Way (RoW), the event was held to further aggregate views from key stakeholders, towards the advancement of policy and regulatory reforms on ROW and issuance of planning permits for telecommunication masts and towers.
The virtual forum is one of the key deliverables of the UK’s Technical Assistance project on RoW, which was initiated in April 2020 to assess the existing strategy, charging regime and measure that against economic development indicators.
Funded and overseen by the Digital Access Programme, Greenfields Law, a leading telecom policy, law and regulation firm in Nigeria had engaged with key stakeholders and proposed effective solutions based on the evidence gathered, while taking into account international best practice.
Speaking at the event Ms Catriona Laing, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said; “Nigeria has seen great progress in the effort to provide inclusive digital access to millions of its citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, made the world rely more heavily on internet connectivity for access to basic necessities – health, education, work, shopping, convenience and other services. As such, substantial digital inequities have been revealed.
“The UK is keen to support the promotion of affordable, inclusive, safe and secure digital access for underserved or excluded populations, and this conference is a significant step to discuss the technical findings of our preliminary study, outcomes, lingering challenges and the way forward,” she said.
On his part, during his address, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami said, “I want to thank the UK Government for supporting the Nigeria digital economy agenda. Earlier the UK Government supported us in the development of the new national broadband plan through the Digital Access Programme.”
“Nigeria has in the past one year of my time as minister, added 10 per cent to the broadband penetration level in the country. RoW reforms are the key to unlocking Nigeria’s digital economy for inclusive digital growth and we have worked with the Nigerian Governors Forum to achieve some important results already. We will continue to champion this reforms on RoW and work on the challenges identified by the technical study,” Mr Pantami said.
Mr Umar Danbatta, the executive vice-chairman of the NCC, represented by Mr Adeleke Adewolu, the Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management (ECSM), thanked the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme for their support in championing reforms on RoW to deepen digital inclusion in Nigeria.
“The Technical Assistance on RoW reforms will assist in our quest for deepening broadband penetration in Nigeria. NCC is willing and ready to advance the reforms noted in the technical study and will collaborate with stakeholders to effect it in the short, medium and long term,” he said.
On the part of the convener, Mr Idongesit Udoh, the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme Adviser and country lead, commended state governments that have announced the reforms on ROW, saying that this project will help accelerate the roll-out of backbone connectivity infrastructure to underserved communities which is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s digital economy for inclusive, digitally-enabled growth, development and job creation for Nigerians.
“The Digital Access Programme is also working on other projects such as cybersecurity essentials upskilling for SMEs around the country and basic digital literacy to promote inclusive economic growth and development,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the latest Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), climbing 42 places globally in just two years.
Nigeria rose from 80th globally in 2024 to 38th in the world with a score of 45.93.
The GIRIA ranking boosts Nigeria’s appeal as a destination for AI talent, innovation and investment.
According to the Cape Town-based independent research and policy think tank, the ranking is one of the world’s most comprehensive assessments of responsible AI. It evaluates 135 countries across five pillars: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and AI use in public services.
Despite that rapid adoption, the report found that public governance capacity remains weak. Average GIRAI scores stand at only about 35 out of 100 globally, while evidence of implementation exists in just 55 per cent of countries with responsible AI frameworks, dropping to 45% across the Global South.
Nigeria’s rise reflects deliberate policy efforts to strengthen its AI ecosystem.
According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, the government has accelerated work on its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), expanded digital public infrastructure, invested in digital skills, developed governance frameworks for emerging technologies, and strengthened international partnerships to ensure AI is deployed responsibly.
“This recognition is a testament to Nigeria’s deliberate efforts to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with our development priorities,” he said.
“We believe that Africa must not only participate in the AI revolution but also contribute meaningfully to shaping how these technologies are governed and deployed globally.
“Our focus remains on creating the infrastructure, talent, and policy environment that will enable AI to deliver real value for our people and support President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy,” he added.
The report identified Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for combining AI skills development with safeguards for children and vulnerable groups.
The index noted that Nigeria is among the few African countries that have attempted to simultaneously prepare citizens for an AI-driven future while strengthening protections against the risks posed by emerging technologies.
It highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which mandates AI literacy programmes, teacher training and broader capacity-building initiatives across the country.
The report also cited the Federal Government’s flagship 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme for delivering structured AI and machine learning training through a hybrid model designed to reach young people nationwide.
In terms of regulation, GIRAI recognised the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 for introducing enhanced safeguards for children’s personal data, including parental consent requirements and restrictions on decisions based solely on automated processing.
The report said these initiatives position Nigeria as an example of how governments can pursue AI adoption without overlooking digital rights and citizen protection.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The need for accessible, affordable and locally relevant Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive Africa’s digital future has been emphasised by the Managing Director of ipNX, Mr Ejovi Aror.
Mr Aror, whose paper was presented by the company’s Director of Strategic Business Initiatives, Mr Olusola Teniola, at the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE) on June 18, 2028, said AI is not a new concept, but has been in existence since 1955 and is an integral part of today’s digital ecosystem, with intelligent algorithms already embedded in so-called ‘traditional’ telecommunications networks and services.
At the event held in Lagos, Mr Aror, in his paper titled Next-G Telecoms Infrastructure and Ethical AI in Networking Management, stated that, “Artificial Intelligence already shapes how networks are managed, optimised, and secured. The conversation is not about whether AI will transform telecommunications, but how we can ensure that its benefits are responsibly deployed.”
He emphasised that while Africa may not have played a leading role during the earliest stages of AI development, the continent still has a significant opportunity to shape the next phase of innovation by developing technologies that address local challenges and realities.
“Africa does not need to be solely a consumer of AI technologies developed elsewhere. There is a unique opportunity to build solutions that reflect our local contexts, address our specific needs, and create value for our economies and communities,” he stated.
The presentation also highlighted the importance of ethical considerations in AI deployment, particularly as intelligent systems become increasingly involved in network operations, service delivery, decision-making processes, and customer interactions.
Mr Aror stressed that the development of AI must be guided by principles of transparency, accountability, privacy, and inclusivity to ensure that innovation delivers meaningful benefits to society.
He further noted that the success of AI across Africa will depend on continued investment in digital infrastructure, including broadband connectivity, data centres, cloud platforms, and reliable telecommunications networks capable of supporting advanced digital services.
The discussions at WATISE 2026 reinforced the strategic importance of the telecommunications industry as the foundation of Nigeria’s digital economy. While stakeholders highlighted the role of telecom infrastructure in enabling innovation across various sectors, participants underscored the need for improved digital literacy, public awareness, and responsible use of emerging technologies.
ipNX was recognised at the event as the Best Customer-centric Telecoms Operator. As Nigeria’s leading technology and connectivity provider, the brand remains committed to advancing the infrastructure, innovation, and collaborative partnerships required to unlock the full potential of AI and support Africa’s digital transformation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that Nigeria’s teledensity rose to 86.73 per cent in April 2026, up from 85.67 per cent recorded in March, as active mobile subscriptions increased to 188.01 million, reflecting sustained expansion in access to telecommunications services across the country.
Teledensity refers to the number of active telephone connections (mobile or fixed-line) per 100 people in a specific geographic area.
This growth was driven largely by increasing demand for mobile voice and data services, as more Nigerians integrated digital communication into their daily lives for work, education, commerce, and social interaction.
The NCC’s report provided a detailed breakdown of operator performance, with MTN Nigeria retaining its dominant position as the largest mobile network operator. MTN recorded 96,391,419 active subscribers, accounting for more than half of the country’s total mobile subscriptions.
Airtel Nigeria followed with 64,670,018 subscribers, maintaining its stronghold as the second-largest provider. Globacom, the indigenous operator, recorded 23,178,597 subscribers, while 9mobile had 3,538,021 active subscribers during the period.
The competitive dynamics among these operators continued to shape the market, with each vying for greater market share through innovative data plans, network expansion, and enhanced customer service offerings.
The commission’s data also highlighted a significant technological shift in network usage, as consumers increasingly migrated to faster broadband technologies. Fourth-generation technology remained the dominant mobile network platform, accounting for 54.41 per cent of total network connections in April, up from 53.76 per cent in March.
This steady increase underscored the growing preference for high-speed internet capable of supporting video streaming, online gaming, remote work, and digital learning.
Similarly, fifth-generation technology continued its steady growth trajectory, with its market share rising from 4.20 per cent in March to 4.34 per cent in April. The gradual rollout of 5G infrastructure by operators in major cities and urban centres has begun to yield tangible results, offering lower latency and faster download speeds that are expected to drive innovation in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.
In contrast, the share of second-generation subscriptions declined to 35.93 per cent from 36.74 per cent, reflecting a gradual but clear shift away from legacy networks to higher-speed broadband services.
The third-generation segment remained relatively stable, accounting for 5.32 per cent of total connections compared with 5.30 per cent recorded in March.
This stability suggested that while 2G users were upgrading, a core group of subscribers still relied on 3G networks, particularly in rural and underserved areas where more advanced infrastructure was not yet fully deployed.
The report further showed that of the total subscriptions, 154,347,260 were on mobile GSM networks, while fixed wired internet subscriptions stood at 156,662. Voice over Internet Protocol services accounted for 220,166 subscriptions, indicating a niche but growing interest in internet-based voice communication alternatives.
The NCC also reported significant growth in broadband subscriptions, which increased to 120,684,625 in April from 117,710,397 in March.
Consequently, broadband penetration improved to 55.67 per cent from 54.30 per cent recorded in the previous month. The commission attributed this increase to continued investment in broadband infrastructure by both private operators and government-backed initiatives, as well as the growing adoption of high-speed internet services by households and businesses seeking to leverage digital tools for productivity and connectivity.
Despite the encouraging growth in broadband subscriptions, total internet data consumption declined slightly during the month. According to the report, internet usage fell marginally to 1,414,848.70 terabytes from 1,422,764.54 terabytes recorded in March.
The report suggested that while more Nigerians were gaining internet access, overall data consumption remained relatively stable, possibly due to factors such as price sensitivity, data bundle optimisation, and the varying intensity of usage across different user segments.
This moderation in consumption did not detract from the broader positive trend of expanding connectivity and digital inclusion. The NCC noted that the telecommunications sector continued to play a critical role in the nation’s economy, contributing 9.19 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2026.
This contribution underscored the sector’s transformation from a mere utility provider to a foundational pillar of economic activity, enabling everything from fintech transactions and e-commerce to remote governance and digital entertainment.
The commission added that sustained investment in broadband infrastructure, wider deployment of 5G networks, and improved quality of service would further accelerate digital inclusion, spur innovation across industries, and drive inclusive economic growth in the country.
It also emphasised the need for continued policy support, regulatory stability, and collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to bridge the remaining digital divide and ensure that the benefits of connectivity reach every corner of the nation.
