Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the deployment of sustainable digital infrastructure through the integration of renewable energy and telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria.
The agreement was signed during the NCC–REA Stakeholder Workshop held at the NCC Annex Office Auditorium, Mbora, Abuja.
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, development partners and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the partnership as a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest for universal connectivity and sustainable energy access.
Oshadami said reliable electricity and digital connectivity were complementary pillars of national development.
“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,” he said.
According to him, communities without reliable electricity struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while those without digital connectivity are unable to fully benefit from electrification initiatives.
He explained that the partnership would establish 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 information on existing and planned rural electrification projects, while the NCC will share data on existing and planned Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) deployments.
He said the arrangement would enable both agencies to jointly identify underserved areas requiring electricity and digital connectivity, leading to more efficient infrastructure planning and deployment.
Oshadami added that the collaboration would also explore opportunities to power telecommunications infrastructure, including base stations and fibre repeater sites, through off-grid renewable energy projects developed by the REA.
He noted that the initiative would encourage the co-location of telecommunications infrastructure on REA-developed energy assets where technically feasible, reducing deployment costs, improving operational efficiency and accelerating connectivity in rural communities.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, represented by the Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, said Nigeria’s digital economy depended on reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure.
He described renewable energy mini-grids as 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 featured technical presentations by the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee on geospatial analysis, pilot project opportunities and implementation strategies.
Participants also discussed financing models, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure planning strategies required to scale renewable-powered telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.
Oshadami urged stakeholders to move beyond expressions of support by identifying practical financing mechanisms, commercial models and regulatory measures capable of translating the partnership into sustainable projects.
He said the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and would strengthen broadband expansion, promote renewable energy adoption within telecommunications networks and enhance infrastructure resilience across the country.
According to him, the partnership is expected to improve connectivity in underserved communities, support socio-economic development and advance Nigeria’s digital inclusion objectives.
