CITAD Calls for Policy Framework to Enhance Community Network Initiatives

In a bid to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for a regulatory policy framework to support community network initiatives across the country.

At a media briefing in Kano State, North West Nigeria, the Coordinator of the School of Community Network at CITAD, Mr. Haruna Adamu Hadejia, explained that the concept of Community-Centred Connectivity Initiatives (CCCls) has the capacity to empower local communities by giving them control over their internet access and infrastructure through affordable and accessible connectivity that meets their specific needs.

He added that the approach was meant to empower communities to identify local solutions to their connectivity challenges.

Hadejia said, “Nigeria’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF’s) new study in the year 2022, stated that the number of underserved clusters/communities has dropped from 114 to 97 clusters with an estimated population of 27.91 million.

“CITAD’S opinion here is that, in this global age, this population of Nigerians left without internet is outrageous and is unacceptable.”

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According to Mr Hadejia, the gap has continued to disenfranchise communities, especially students, youth, and women’s groups who rely on the Internet for their activities.

“Therefore, in areas where the internet is lacking, parents must sponsor their wards to go as far as anywhere to access the internet and register, conduct CBT exams and even check the results. Such types of communities are well known as either underserved or unserved.”

To foster community-centred connectivity, Mr Haruna Hadejia called on the office of the Minister of Digital Economy to recognise community networks as an additional layer of connectivity providers in the country.

“The Universal Service Provision Fund USPF should support communities with grants to deploy their own local connectivity initiatives.

“The Mobile Network Operators MNOs should recognize this initiative as complementary to their business rather than competitors,” Hadejia urged.