Overview
AbstractNigeria’s digital landscape presents a stark urban-rural divide. Despite having a population exceeding 200 million and over 100 million Nigerians with internet access, a pronounced urban-rural divide persists. Millions residing in rural communities still lack basic telecommunications services. In 2022, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) deployed over 500 base stations and secured a $2 billion pledge in 2025 to link all 774 local government areas. However, the USPF’s influence is undermined by funding disagreements, transparency concerns, and gaps, including unclear timetables, as well as the lack of sanctions for non-compliance. This article examines the role of the USPF, established under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003, in promoting equitable access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in underserved regions.
