The Federal Government has intensified its drive to close Nigeria’s digital gap with the inauguration of the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), a move aimed at accelerating broadband expansion and extending telecom services to underserved and rural communities.
The board was officially inaugurated on March 27, 2026, at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, bringing together key stakeholders in the communications and digital economy space. The development signals a renewed commitment by the government to deepen connectivity, boost broadband penetration, and fast-track digital inclusion across the country.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, will chair the board and provide strategic leadership for the fund. He is expected to work closely with the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, and the Chairman of the NCC, Idris Olorunnimbe, who will play pivotal roles in execution, coordination, and oversight of projects.
Also serving on the board are Abraham Oshadami, representing technical services, and Rimini Makama, representing stakeholder engagement, alongside other critical contributors tasked with driving impactful connectivity initiatives.
The USPF, a government-backed intervention mechanism, is designed to expand telecommunications infrastructure in rural and hard-to-reach areas where digital access remains limited. The fund focuses on deploying broadband infrastructure, strengthening network connectivity, and improving access to essential communication services for millions of Nigerians currently excluded from the digital ecosystem.
Stakeholders at the inauguration emphasized that the newly constituted board will be instrumental in connecting underserved communities to economic opportunities, digital services, and innovation-driven growth. They noted that improved connectivity would unlock education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and enterprise development across remote regions.
With the board now in place, the government is expected to accelerate ongoing broadband initiatives, promote inclusive digital growth, and ensure equitable access to technology-driven opportunities nationwide. The move aligns with Nigeria’s broader digital economy agenda, which seeks to leverage telecommunications infrastructure as a catalyst for innovation, productivity, and sustainable economic development — ensuring no community is left behind in the country’s rapidly evolving digital future.