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NCC, REA Sign Agreement to Expand Digital Infrastructure with Renewable Energy
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure across Nigeria by integrating renewable energy into telecommunications networks.
KANO FOCUS reports that the agreement was signed during the NCC–REA Stakeholder Workshop held at the NCC Annex Office Auditorium in Mbora, Abuja, on Friday.
The workshop, themed *”Unlocking the Energy–Telecoms Nexus for Scalable Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria,”* brought together government officials, telecommunications operators, tower companies, renewable energy developers, financiers and development partners to discuss strategies for expanding connectivity through sustainable energy solutions.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, described the partnership as a major step towards achieving inclusive digital connectivity and energy access.
He said reliable electricity and digital connectivity are interdependent and essential for building an inclusive and productive economy.
“Reliable electricity and digital connectivity are not two separate development goals. They are mutually reinforcing foundations of the same objective that produces an inclusive and productive economy,” Mr Oshadami said.
According to him, communities without stable electricity struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while those without digital connectivity cannot fully benefit from electrification projects.
He explained that the partnership provides a framework for aligning telecommunications and rural electrification programmes through coordinated planning, shared infrastructure and renewable energy solutions.
Under the agreement, the REA will provide geospatial data on existing and planned electrification projects, while the NCC will share information on current and planned projects under the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
Mr Oshadami said the collaboration would enable both agencies to identify areas lacking electricity and telecommunications services and coordinate interventions more effectively.
He added that the partnership would also explore the use of REA’s off-grid renewable energy projects to power telecommunications infrastructure, including base stations and fibre repeater sites.
According to him, the agencies will also examine opportunities to co-locate telecommunications infrastructure on REA-developed energy facilities where technically feasible, a move expected to reduce deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate connectivity in underserved communities.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, represented by the Executive Director of Technical Services, Umar Abdullahi Umar, said Nigeria’s digital economy depends on reliable energy infrastructure.
He noted that renewable energy mini-grids provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to diesel-powered telecommunications sites.
“Reliable power and universal connectivity are not competing priorities. They are the same priority, approached from two directions. Where we deliver them together, the cost of each falls and the reach of both extends,” he said.
The workshop also featured presentations by the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee on geospatial analysis, pilot projects and implementation strategies, as well as panel discussions on financing models, regulatory issues and infrastructure planning.
Mr Oshadami urged stakeholders to move beyond expressions of support by identifying practical financing mechanisms, viable commercial models and regulatory measures capable of translating the partnership into sustainable, large-scale projects.
The NCC said the agreement would strengthen collaboration between the two agencies in support of the Federal Government’s digital economy and rural development agenda by improving infrastructure planning, expanding broadband access, promoting renewable energy adoption in telecommunications and delivering resilient digital infrastructure nationwide.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hussaini Yusuf Datti, has won the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election in Kano State with 23,890 votes.
KANO FOCUS reports that Datti was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Sani, after polling was conducted across the constituency on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
According to the official result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Datti defeated five other candidates who contested the election.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Habibu Hamisu, came second with 270 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abdullahi Adamu, secured 108 votes.
The candidate of the All Democratic Party (ADP), Bala Muhammad Sani, polled 89 votes, while Aliyu Abdullahi of the All Progressive Party (APP) received 53 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad, secured 39 votes.
The results recorded a total of 24,449 votes across the six political parties listed on the declaration sheet.
After announcing the results, the Returning Officer declared Hussaini Yusuf Datti of the APC the winner and returned him elected, stating that he had satisfied the requirements of the law.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting digital inclusion for Persons with Disabilities, saying technology should create opportunities rather than introduce new barriers.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Vice-Chairman of the commission, Aminu Maida, stated this while highlighting the NCC’s interventions aimed at improving access to digital tools and services for persons with disabilities.
According to him, the commission’s interventions include its E-Accessibility Project, which provides information and communication technology tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting Persons with Disabilities.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by Nnenna Ukoha, Director, Public Affairs Department, NCC, on Saturday said Maida also highlighted the NCC’s support for research into assistive technology, including the development of an assistive walking-stick prototype designed to support blind and visually impaired persons.
He said the commission’s fourth NCC Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” also encouraged innovators to develop solutions that promote accessibility and inclusion.
Maida said connectivity alone was not enough to achieve meaningful digital inclusion, stressing that Nigerians also needed the knowledge and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly and productively.
“The NCC remains committed to promoting connectivity, digital skills, accessibility, online safety and meaningful participation, with the goal of building a digital Nigeria where Persons with Disabilities can learn, work, do business, communicate and access services with dignity and confidence,” he said.
The NCC boss called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulators, technology companies, service providers, development partners, civil society organisations and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.
He said accessibility should be incorporated from the outset in the design and deployment of digital products and services.
Maida also acknowledged the contributions of the Lagos State Government, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and other stakeholders supporting the programme.
The commission said the intervention had provided more than 100 participants trained in Lagos with practical digital skills, including protecting personal information, identifying potential scams, communicating through assistive technology and navigating the digital environment with greater confidence and independence.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced a two-day training for 500 teachers on the use of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).
KANO FOCUS reports that the training, which began on Saturday, is being conducted across 20 centres in the Kano metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen teachers’ capacity to use the digital learning platform.
Some participants at the training
The training centres include GGSS Gidan Makama, GGSS Dorayi Karama, GSS Gwamamaja II, GSS Babbangiji, Day Science and GGSS Dangana.
Other centres are GGSS Maryam Aloma, GGAC Goron Dutse, GGASS Gwammaja, Prof Hafsat, Mairo Tijjani and GGSS Maryam Abacha.
Some participants at the training
The remaining centres are GGSS Maryam Shekarau, GGC Kano, GGSS Masallaci Fagge, GGSS Chiranchi, First Ladies and GGSS Sabuwar Kofa.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Director, Education Management Information System (EMIS) and Statistics and lead component for Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano, Malam Naziru Surajo, said the Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide learners and teachers with access to curriculum-aligned educational content and support learning continuity.
Some participants at the training
He said the two-day training is expected to equip participating teachers with practical skills to access and use the platform, including navigating learning content and other available resources.
Group picture at GGSS Chiranchi Centre
According to him the exercise is being implemented by the Kano State Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF as part of efforts to strengthen the use of digital tools in teaching and learning across the state.
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