The Nigerian telecommunications sector has made significant progress in reducing access gaps, with a remarkable 53.1% decrease in the number of areas without telecom services by the end of 2022. This positive development was revealed by Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), during a recent telecoms industry stakeholders forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Significant Reduction in Access Gaps: According to Danbatta, the number of identified clusters lacking access to telecommunications services has significantly reduced from 207 in 2013 to 97 by the end of 2022. This reduction represents a 53.1% decrease, as 110 clusters of access gaps were successfully bridged during this period. Consequently, the number of Nigerians within these access gaps has also decreased from an estimated 37 million in 2013 to 27 million, as more people now have access to digital connectivity.
Definition of Access Gaps: Access gaps refer to groups of communities or areas in different parts of the country that lack access to telecom services. The NCC has diligently worked to reduce these access gaps, surpassing the halfway mark in this endeavor.
Progress in Bringing Telecom Services to Underserved Areas: Danbatta highlighted the NCC’s efforts in expanding telecom services to rural, unserved, and underserved areas. Through the deployment of necessary infrastructure, particularly base transceiver stations, the NCC successfully reduced the clusters of access gaps from 114 in 2019 to 97 in 2022. As a result, the number of Nigerians residing in these clusters decreased from 31 million to 27 million during the same period. The NCC has deployed a total of 567 base transceiver stations since 2009 to bridge these gaps, with additional stations added from 2013 to 2018 and 2019 to 2022.
Continued Commitment and Future Initiatives: Danbatta emphasized that the NCC’s work is not yet complete, and they remain dedicated to providing telecom services to the remaining 27 million Nigerians who still lack access. To achieve ubiquitous connectivity across the country, the NCC plans to implement regulatory interventions such as the issuance of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licenses and the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) networks. These measures aim to further bridge the remaining 97 access gaps and ensure that telecom services reach all corners of Nigeria.
The reduction of telecom access gaps in Nigeria by 53.1% is a significant achievement, positively impacting millions of Nigerians who now have access to vital communication services. The NCC’s deployment of infrastructure and base transceiver stations has played a pivotal role in this progress. The Commission remains committed to its mission and will continue its efforts to bridge the remaining access gaps, ensuring ubiquitous connectivity and digital inclusion for all Nigerians