News
FG Seeks Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Bridge Digital Gap
The Federal Government has called for collaboration among stakeholders to bridge the digital divide in Nigeria, as it launches a series of flagship projects aimed at boosting digital inclusion.
According to Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the government is committed to ensuring that all Nigerians have access to digital services, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
Speaking at an industry-focused stakeholders’ engagement session in Lagos, Tijani said the projects, which include Project BRIDGE, Project 774 and the Universal Access Project, were designed to extend digital connectivity to underserved and unserved communities, promote digital literacy and drive economic growth.
Themed, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth,” the event organized by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in-collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, (ITU) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, brought together chief executives of telecoms companies, development partners and trade associations, among other notable industry players.
The minister noted that though Nigeria has made significant strides in expanding connectivity and strengthening its digital technology infrastructure, millions of Nigerians were yet to have access to reliable connectivity.
He said: “Over the last 25 years, Nigeria has made significant strides in expanding connectivity and strengthening our digital technology infrastructure. In recent years, broadband penetration has been growing significantly, bringing more millions of Nigerians online and enabling new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion.
“Today, however, there are still millions of Nigerians on the fringes of digital transformation, who are yet to have access to reliable connectivity. Many communities, particularly rural areas, face significant barriers, including inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy.”
These gaps, Tijani added, not only hinder personal and business growth but also limit the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy. He stressed that the Universal Service Provision Fund has been a critical instrument in the FG’s mission to extend connectivity to these communities, supporting infrastructure expansion, fostering local innovation and driving inclusive policies.
According to him, the federal government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is also actively in driving transformative projects aimed at unlocking digital opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
He listed some of the government’s flagship initiatives to close the divide to include, Project BRIDGE, Project 774,
Universal Access Project, National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN) and the 3 Million Technical Talent.
The minister further explained that Project BRIDGE, a 90,000km fibre optic expansion, was designed to significantly improve broadband penetration across Nigeria by extending fiber optic infrastructure to all regions; while Project 774 ensures that every local government secretariat in Nigeria benefits from high-speed connecivity, fostering grassroots digital transformation.
He described the Universal Access Project as a game-changing initiative targeted at connecting over 20 million Nigerians, who currently have no access to digital services.
“The National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN) is our multi-stakeholder’s effort to drive collaboration across government and private sector to drive universal high quality broadband access. The 3 Million Technical Talent programme ( 3MTT) is strengthening our talent pipeline to deliver a workforce to improve the digital ecosystem.
“These projects are not just focussed on infrastructure; but also about enabling businesses, empowering individuals and unlocking the full economic potential of Nigeria’s digital landscape as we work towards a $1trillion economy.
“However, bridging this digital divide is not a task for the government alone. Sustainable and impactful progress require strong partnerships across the public and private sectors, development agencies, civil society and local communities.
“To ensure effective collaboration, we must focus on four key pillars, including community engagement, leveraging existing infrastructure, capacity building and sustainable solutions.
“We stand at a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation. We have the vision, the policy framework and the will to connect every Nigerian to the digital economy. But, we need your partnership to explore alternative innovative ways to deliver on all elements of our plans.
“There is a clear role for everyone, including government at all levels, private sector, development partners and local communities in this journey,” the minister stated.
Earlier in his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, said the theme of the programme reflected collective commitment to ensuring equitable access to telecommunications services for all Nigerians, especially those in unserved and underserved communities.
“Today’s meeting is particularly aimed at bringing key industry stakeholders together to provide valuable insights on strategies that can be adopted to enhance USPF interventions and serve as a feedback mechanism to build partnerships for Nigeria’s digital future.
“It goes without saying that the USPF acknowledges the crucial role of collaboration, strategic partnerships and complementary efforts to achieve sustainable development,” Maida stated.
He reiterated that the NCC, through the USPF, has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at providing universal access and universal service. According to him, these efforts align with broader national and global goals, including bridging the digital divide, promoting universal access, fostering economic growth and social inclusion, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals “SDGs 4” (Quality Education) and 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
“Without doubt, to achieve digital inclusion, government agencies, mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, equipment manufacturers, development partners and telecom trade groups must work closely together.
It is for this reason that a multistakeholders’ approach is essential to explore innovative financing models to attract investment in rural telecommunications, leverage emerging technologies and alternative power solutions for sustainable connectivity and promote policies that incentivize collaborative participation in connectivity projects.
“I want to use this platform today, to urge all stakeholders to take decisive steps toward strengthening partnerships.
Let us harness our collective expertise, resources and innovative capabilities to build a resilient and sustainable telecommunication infrastructure that will empower millions of Nigerians.
We must remember that collaboration remains the cornerstone of sustainable development in this sector,” Maida submitted.
The United States will begin a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerians from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening border and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.’
According to the mission, Nigeria is one of 19 countries affected by the measure.
Others listed are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas.
It also applies to immigrant visas, though with limited exceptions.
The statement read in part, “Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions.”
US officials clarified that the policy does not apply to all travellers. Exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not affected by the suspension, and Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees.
Other exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events.
The US government emphasised that the proclamation applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid US visa as of January 1, 2026.
“Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement added.
Visa applicants from affected countries may continue to submit applications and attend interviews. However, the US Mission noted that such applicants “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the US” under the new rules.
The announcement comes amid a series of recent US policy decisions that have raised concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study or migrate to the country.
In October, the United States added Nigeria back to its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, citing persistent insecurity and attacks on Christian communities. This was followed by Nigeria’s inclusion on a revised US travel ban list that imposed partial entry restrictions on Nigerians.
The US has also tightened immigration and visa policies affecting Nigerians. Earlier this year, the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry visas with a three-month duration.
The pre-action notice was signed by Emmanuel Okpara, Esq., Litigation and Compliance Director, and Mus’ab Awwal Mu’az, Esq., secretary of the Association’s Steering Committee.
The dispute stemmed from a consent judgment delivered on November 3, 2025, by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CC/355/2025 between Meta Platforms, Inc. and the NDPC.
Following investigations conducted under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, the NDPC had issued a Final Order against Meta Platforms, Inc., finding “widespread violations of the data protection and privacy rights of approximately 61 million Nigerians,” and imposing a remedial fine of USD 32,800,000.
The pre-action notice was signed by Emmanuel Okpara, Esq., Litigation and Compliance Director, and Mus’ab Awwal Mu’az, Esq., Secretary of the Association’s Steering Committee.
The dispute stemmed from a consent judgment delivered on November 3, 2025, by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CC/355/2025 between Meta Platforms, Inc. and the NDPC.
Following investigations conducted under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, the NDPC had issued a Final Order against Meta Platforms, Inc., finding “widespread violations of the data protection and privacy rights of approximately 61 million Nigerians,” and imposing a remedial fine of USD 32,800,000.
The NDPC investigation stemmed from a petition filed at the commission on August 14, 2023, against Meta Platforms Inc. by the convener of Personal Data Protection Awareness Initiative, Ozoemena Nwogbo, regarding violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
After its investigation, NDPC found Meta Platforms Inc. wanting and, on February 18, 2025, issued nine Final Orders against Meta Platforms Inc.
NDPC’s Order
The NDPC’s order nine reads, “Meta shall pay the naira equivalent of 32,800,000 USD (Thirty-two million, eight-hundred thousand United States Dollars) as a remedial fee. The naira equivalent shall be at the rate determined by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The details of the account for payment of the remedial fee are as follows: Account Name: Nigeria Data Protection Commission Fund Account. Account Number: 0020331265048 (300131267). Use RTGS for payment.”
The NDPC added, “Note that Meta has a right to seek a judicial review of this decision. The Commission will closely monitor Meta’s remediation process and its impact on data subjects for upwards of six months.”
However, the Final Order was subsequently set aside through Terms of Settlement, which were adopted by the court as a consent judgment on November 3, 2025, following a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/355/2025, filed by Meta Platforms Inc. against the NDPC.
Part of the Terms of Settlement entered between NDPC and Meta Platforms Inc. reads, “The applicant (Meta Platforms Inc.) and the respondent (NDPC) have come to a mutual settlement agreement that resolves the dispute underlying the applicant’s originating Summons.
“Pursuant to this agreement: (I) the applicant has agreed to provide specific remedial consideration to the respondent in support of protecting the rights of data subjects in Nigeria; and (II) the respondent has inter alia agreed to set aside and waive any rights to enforce or take steps to enforce the Final Orders against the applicant.”
The settlement terms specifically read, “In the light of the foregoing: The applicant wholly and completely terminates, abandons, withdraws, and discontinues the Originating Summons as well as any and all claims against the respondent connected to or arising from the matters or the subject matter thereof, except as the parties have otherwise agreed.
“The respondent: (I) sets aside the Final Orders against Meta; and (II) save and except as the parties have otherwise agreed, fully and firmly releases and discharges Meta from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, contracts, obligations, suits, debts, costs, liabilities, which the respondent ever had, may now have, or May hereafter claim to have against Meta in respect of the matters.”
Association Alleges Illegality In Settlement
But the Data Privacy Lawyers Association contended that the consent judgment was entered into unlawfully, arguing that it was done without lawful statutory authority, in violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and in derogation of the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The Association further said the action was taken “to the grave prejudice of millions of affected Nigerians and the public interest, as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In the notice, the Association warned that unless the issues raised are urgently addressed within the statutory notice period, it would approach the Federal High Court to seek multiple reliefs.
These include an order setting aside, vacating, and nullifying the consent judgment on grounds of fraud, collusion, material non-disclosure, lack of statutory authority, and violation of the NDPA, 2023.
It is also seeking a declaration that the consent judgment is “null, void, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect,” as well as a declaration that the NDPC lacks statutory authority to waive, compro
Other reliefs sought include an order restoring and reviving the Final Order against Meta Platforms, including the $32.8 million fine, and an order restraining any further reliance on or enforcement of the consent judgment.
The Association also asked the court for other orders the Court may deem fit in the interest of justice, public accountability, and the protection of constitutional rights.
In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Association urged the NDPC to provide a written explanation of the legal basis for entering into the Terms of Settlement, clarify the statutory authority relied upon to waive the remedial fine and set aside the Final Order, and take steps to remedy the issues raised.
The letter, the Association said, constitutes the requisite pre-action notice under applicable law.
It warned that unless the concerns are satisfactorily addressed within 30 days of receipt of the notice, it will proceed to institute legal proceedings without further recourse.
mise, or extinguish liabilities, sanctions, or remedial fines arising from established violations of the Act.
As Christians in Nigeria and around the world mark the birth of Jesus Christ, Globacom has extended warm Christmas greetings, describing the season as one of goodwill and togetherness.
Reflecting on the significance of Christmas in a message released on Tuesday, the technology company said the period offers an opportunity for renewal, calling on Christians to uphold the values embodied by Jesus Christ, including love, humility and compassion for humanity.
Globacom noted that the circumstances of Christ’s birth continue to offer timeless guidance for society. “The noble yet humble birth of Jesus teaches virtues such as obedience to God, humility, love for mankind and a strong commitment to the common good. We encourage Christians to consciously practise these virtues as true followers of Christ,” the company stated.
Against the backdrop of today’s social and economic challenges, the company emphasized the shared responsibility of people of goodwill to care for others and to give generously, pointing to Christ’s acts of compassion, including his feeding of multitudes as recorded in the Bible.
Beyond the celebrations, Globacom urged Nigerians to sustain the true spirit of Christmas by consistently demonstrating love, promoting peace and fostering harmony—values that defined Christ’s life and teachings.
The company also wished its customers and Nigerians at large a joyful Christmas, while reaffirming its commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services throughout the festive period and beyond, urging customers to take advantage of its wide range of innovative products and services to stay connected and share the joy of the season with loved ones.
Woherem Proposes Pragmatic Roadmap to End Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria
AfDB Group Mobilises Global Private Capital to Close Africa’s Financing Gap
FIRS says NIN, CAC Numbers to Serve as Tax IDs from 2026
REDAN Seals Landmark MoU, Validates Sytemap’s Real Estate Infrastructure
Oyedele Dismisses Claims Bank Accounts Without TIN Will Be Frozen
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
Jumia’s Data Shows Nigerians Turning to Digital Retail to Navigate Inflation Pressures
News3 days agoUS Okays $2.1Bn for Christian Healthcare in Nigeria
News3 days agoSERAP Asks Tinubu to Release CTC of Tax Bill
E-Financial3 days agoSterling Bank, Water.org, Sterling One Foundation Partner on WASH Loan for Millions
Broadcasting3 days agoTim Akano Recounts 20-Year Growth, Media Support at NITRA End-of-Year Meet
- News2 days ago
US Begins Partial Visa Ban on Nigerians January 1
General News3 days agoLeo Stan Ekeh: A “Rare Avis”, an Unconquerable Entrepreneur
General News3 days agoFCCPC Forces Ikeja Electric Into Compliance, Unseals Headquarters After Rights Breach
General News3 days agoNITDA Wins Triple SERVICOM Honours for Citizen-Centred Service Delivery